House passes H.R. 4 election takeover bill restoring DOJ preclearance authority over all state and local election laws, including redistricting and absentee ballots

The House of Representatives on Aug. 24 passed H.R. 4, the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, by a vote of 219 to 212, legislation that would give preclearance authority over any change to state or municipal election laws, including redistricting and absentee ballots, to the U.S. Attorney General or alternately, to the U.S. District Court of the District of Columbia.

According to Section 6 of the bill: “Each State and each political subdivision shall identify any newly enacted or adopted law, regulation, or policy that includes a voting qualification or prerequisite to voting, or a standard, practice, or procedure with respect to voting… and… ensure that no such covered practice is implemented unless or until the State or political subdivision, as the case may be, complies with subsection (c),” which requires preclearance either via the Attorney General, or alternately, the D.C. District Court…. (Excerpts from the Daily Torch)