Voting Rights Act

Businesses Call on Congress to Amend Voting Rights Act to Honor the Late John Lewis this Session

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Wednesday, July 14, 2021
Civil rights movement, History of civil rights in the United States, Selma to Montgomery marches, United States, 89th United States Congress, Liberalism in the United States, Voting Rights Act, John Lewis, Selma, Alabama, Suffrage, John Lewis Voting Rights Act, Republican efforts to restrict voting following the 2020 presidential election

WASHINGTON, July 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --More than 160 companies from across the country sent a letter to Congress today urging the introduction and passage of Voting Rights Act legislation to honor civil rights leader Rep. John Lewis and end discrimination in voting.

Key Points: 
  • WASHINGTON, July 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --More than 160 companies from across the country sent a letter to Congress today urging the introduction and passage of Voting Rights Act legislation to honor civil rights leader Rep. John Lewis and end discrimination in voting.
  • The legislation the companies are supporting would update the 1965 Voting Rights Act to strengthen and protect the right to vote for all eligible Americans.
  • Businesses of all sizes, sectors and regions have come together with the shared commitment to protect voting rights for all Americans and ensure all eligible Americans can freely cast their ballots so that every voice is heard.
  • The late Rep. Lewis was a fierce advocate for voting rights the horrific beating of John Lewis on Bloody Sunday as he led a march in Selma for voting rights prompted Congress to enact the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Single Mom Wins Federal Voting Rights Act Court Case Against The City of Virginia Beach Found Guilty of Voting Procedures That Discriminate

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Friday, April 2, 2021
United States, Voting, 89th United States Congress, Civil rights movement, Liberalism in the United States, Voting Rights Act, Virginia, Electronic voting, Suffrage, Voter suppression in the United States, Voting rights in the United States

On March 31, 2021 the U.S. Federal Courts found the City of Virginia Beach guilty of violating Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Key Points: 
  • On March 31, 2021 the U.S. Federal Courts found the City of Virginia Beach guilty of violating Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
  • Her first lawsuit against the City of Virginia Beach was in federal court in 2020 .
  • The judge ruled that the Virginia Beach "at-large" election system violated the 1965 Voting Rights Act.
  • Virginia Beach has been using an "at-large" voting system, which allows voters to choose candidates for city council outside of their own districts.

Vote.org Holds #GoodTroublePledge Voter Registration Drive to Commemorate the 55th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act

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Thursday, August 6, 2020
Politics, Election law, Elections, Voter suppression, Discrimination, Electoral fraud, Injustice, Political corruption, Vote.org, American Civil Liberties Union, Voter registration, Voting Rights Act

OAKLAND, Calif., Aug. 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- On the 55th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, Vote.org , the nation's largest voter engagement platform and the only Black-led organization in the civic tech space, will honor the-late Congressman and civil rights activist, John Lewis, with a #GoodTroublePledge Voter Registration and Engagement Drive.

Key Points: 
  • OAKLAND, Calif., Aug. 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- On the 55th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, Vote.org , the nation's largest voter engagement platform and the only Black-led organization in the civic tech space, will honor the-late Congressman and civil rights activist, John Lewis, with a #GoodTroublePledge Voter Registration and Engagement Drive.
  • The drive comes in the wake of Lewis' recent passing, and renewed calls to restore the Voting Rights Act .
  • The Supreme Court gutted key provisions of the VRA in 2013 , eliminating critical protections against systemic voter suppression that are still present in elections today.
  • According to the ACLU , states with the most extreme disenfranchisement laws have long records of suppressing the rights of Black people.

The Project on Fair Representation: Influential Legal Foundations, Public Policy Institutes, Elected Officials and Six California Cities File Amicus Briefs to U.S. Supreme Court in Challenge to California Voting Rights Act

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Thursday, May 7, 2020
Politics, Elections, California Voting Rights Act, Edward Blum, Voting Rights Act, Supreme Court of the United States, CVRA, Gerrymandering

19-1199), a challenge to the constitutionality of the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA).

Key Points: 
  • 19-1199), a challenge to the constitutionality of the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA).
  • Enacted in 2002, the CVRA essentially overturned a 1986 Supreme Court decision that narrowed the use of race and ethnicity in creating election districts.
  • Edward Blum, the president of POFR, said, "This opinion from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit must be overturned."
  • Blum added, "This law drives racial-identity politics and leads to indeed,requires the creation of racially gerrymandered voting districts.

Quaker Lobby Hails House Passage of Voting Rights Advancement Act

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Friday, December 6, 2019
Congressional News, Views, White House, Federal Government, Public policy, Government, Public policy, Consumer, Religion, Elections, Campaigns, Civil rights movement, 89th United States Congress, Liberalism in the United States, Voting Rights Act, Civil rights in the United States, Politics of the United States, Human rights in the United States

The Friends Committee on National Legislation praised todays passage of the Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2019 (H.R.

Key Points: 
  • The Friends Committee on National Legislation praised todays passage of the Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2019 (H.R.
  • The bill will restore the protections of 1965s Voting Rights Act by developing a process to determine which states must seek prior clearance for election law changes with the Justice Department.
  • The Voting Rights Advancement Act (VRAA) would create a new standard by which election pre-clearance is required.
  • The VRAA will subject states to pre-clearance if they have 15 or more voting rights violations over the past 25 years, or more than 10 voting rights violations with at least one committed by the state itself.

Fish & Richardson Donates Nearly $200,000 in Attorneys' Fees from Texas Case Protecting Voting Rights

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, October 9, 2019
Civil rights movement, 89th United States Congress, Liberalism in the United States, Voting Rights Act, Electronic voting, Politics of the United States, Civil rights in the United States, Politics

In the case, Fish attorneys argued successfully that a provision of the Texas Election Code preventing voters from using the interpreter of their choice during the voting process violated Section 208 of the Voting Rights Act.

Key Points: 
  • In the case, Fish attorneys argued successfully that a provision of the Texas Election Code preventing voters from using the interpreter of their choice during the voting process violated Section 208 of the Voting Rights Act.
  • First, in memory of plaintiff Mallika Das, who died before the lawsuit concluded, the University of Texas Law School has received $100,000 to endow the Fish & Richardson Mallika Das Scholarship in Voting Rights.
  • The scholarship will assist law students with financial need who have a demonstrated interest in voting rights.
  • "It was an honor to be involved in this important case and to play a role in protecting the rights of all Texas voters with limited English proficiency.

Former Attorney General Eric Holder to Receive Inaugural Temple Israel of Hollywood Rabbi John L. Rosove Justice Award for His Ongoing Work on Voting Rights on Sunday, June 2, 2019 in Los Angeles

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Friday, May 24, 2019
Eric Holder, Eric Garcetti, Voting Rights Act, Actors, Federal government of the United States, United States

Eric Garcetti, will introduce and present the award to Attorney General Holder at a special celebration at TIOH, 7300 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90046, beginning at 4 PM PT.

Key Points: 
  • Eric Garcetti, will introduce and present the award to Attorney General Holder at a special celebration at TIOH, 7300 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90046, beginning at 4 PM PT.
  • Under Mr. Holder's leadership, civil rights, including voting rights, were a top priority at the Justice Department.
  • Mr. Holder vigorously defended voting rights, including the enforcement of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
  • "I'm deeply honored to receive the inaugural Rabbi John L. Rosove Justice Award," said Eric H. Holder, Jr. "Throughout his life of service, Rabbi Rosove has dedicated himself to social justice and giving back to his community.

U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Releases Report: An Assessment of Minority Voting Rights Access in the United States

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, September 12, 2018
Civil rights movement, Liberalism in the United States, 89th United States Congress, Voting Rights Act, Civil liberties in the United States, Voting, United States Commission on Civil Rights, Preclearance, Electronic voting, Politics of the United States, Politics, Shelby County v. Holder

WASHINGTON, Sept. 12, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights released its report , An Assessment of Minority Voting Rights Access in the United States.

Key Points: 
  • WASHINGTON, Sept. 12, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights released its report , An Assessment of Minority Voting Rights Access in the United States.
  • Key unanimous findings and recommendations from the Commission include:
    In states across the country and particularly in many previously covered under the preclearance requirements of the VRA new laws and voting procedures are impacting minority voting rights.
  • Commission reporting on pervasive voting discrimination in the 1950s and 60s contributed to the passage of the Voting Rights Act.
  • The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights is the only independent, bipartisan agency charged with advising the President and Congress on civil rights and reporting annually on federal enforcement.

Telephonic Press Call with Chair Catherine E. Lhamon and Commissioner Debo P. Adegbile

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, September 5, 2018
Civil rights movement, United States Commission on Civil Rights, Voting Rights Act, Civil liberties in the United States, Politics of the United States, Human rights in the United States

The Commission was established in 1957 with the initial charge of addressing voting rights, and our reporting on pervasive voting discrimination contributed to the passage of the Voting Rights Act in 1965.

Key Points: 
  • The Commission was established in 1957 with the initial charge of addressing voting rights, and our reporting on pervasive voting discrimination contributed to the passage of the Voting Rights Act in 1965.
  • We invite you to view part 1 , part 2 , and the open public comment session .
  • The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights is the only independent, bipartisan agency charged with advising the President and Congress on civil rights and reporting annually on federal civil rights enforcement.
  • For information about the Commission, please visit www.usccr.gov and follow us on Twitter and Facebook .

Project on Fair Representation Files Amicus Brief Supporting 2020 Census Citizenship Question

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, June 6, 2018
89th United States Congress, Civil rights movement, Liberalism in the United States, Voting Rights Act, Civil liberties in the United States, Politics of the United States, United States

WASHINGTON, June 6, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --Today, the Project on Fair Representation (POFR) filed an amicus brief in State of New York, et al v. United States Department of Commerce, No.

Key Points: 
  • WASHINGTON, June 6, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --Today, the Project on Fair Representation (POFR) filed an amicus brief in State of New York, et al v. United States Department of Commerce, No.
  • The brief can be found at ProjectOnFairRepresentation.org and attached to this press release.
  • In December, 2017, the Department of Justice urged the Department of Commerce to reinstate a previously-used citizenship question on the 2020 decennial census in order for DOJ to better enforce certain provisions of the Voting Rights Act (VRA).
  • Blum added, "Canada and most European countries wisely have a citizenship or immigrant-status question on their census forms.