Myth 1: ““Being notified of certain voting changes is my right.”

Truth:

After the removal of Sections 4 & 5 of the voting rights act, the nationwide, uniform notice requirement which ensured community members across the country are adequately informed about pending voting changes that are likely to raise concerns is no longer required by law.

Myth 2: “This bill does not go far enough."

Truth:

With a few common sense fixes, this bill ensures that everyone, regardless of their race, is treated fairly at the ballot box. VRA for Today implements remedies to address current discrimination while it’s occurring, permits review of voting changes in places that presently or in recent past have practiced discrimination at the polls, and calls for notification of potential voting changes.

Myth 3: “The preclearance regulation has already been ruled unconstitutional.”

Truth:

In the original Voting Rights Acts of 1965, the preclearance locked in 15 states, mostly in the south, to practice preclearance. In the recent ruling, Chief Justice John G. Roberts noted “Our country has changed. While any racial discrimination in voting is too much, Congress must ensure that the legislation it passes to remedy that problem speaks to current conditions.” This bill is a direct response to the Supreme Court and modernizes the Voting Rights Act to be narrowly tailored for present and recent discriminatory practices, rather than a blanket solution.