The Voting Rights Act (VRA), one of our nation’s proudest civil rights achievements, used to protect voters from targeted voter suppression tactics. Under the VRA, states and counties with a history of discrimination had to get federal approval for new voting laws—which stopped thousands of dangerous provisions from taking effect.

But in its 2013 Condado de Shelby contra Holder decision, the Supreme Court gutted that requirement, giving politicians the green light to attack voters’ rights and pass new laws that never would have stood up to review.

Since then, partisan politicians have taken advantage, adding new voting restrictions like strict voter ID requirements, rollbacks of early and mail-in voting, and even purges of eligible voters from the voter rolls. These unjust, racist, and anti-voter measures need to be stopped—which means we must restore the VRA’s preclearance requirements for new voting laws.

Common Cause supports the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, named for the civil rights hero who helped pass the original VRA into law. This bill would restore this critical review process and protect every voters’ right to be heard in our democracy.

Every eligible American should be able to cast their ballot on Election Day, free from obstruction or intimidation. But without the protections of the VRA, voters must overcome discriminatory laws, needless barriers, and partisan dirty tricks just to be heard in our democracy.

Congressman John Lewis dedicated his life to fighting inequality wherever he saw it—in our justice system, voting polls, and beyond. The best way to honor his legacy—and protect every voters’ rights—is by passing this groundbreaking voting rights bill into law.