Voting Rights Act

Congressman Westmoreland supports voting rights for all citizens. But the preclearance portions of the Voting Rights Act that are scheduled for renewal inordinately burden certain states. Under the current law, the state of Georgia, and parts of a few other states, are required to submit any change in voting law to the federal government. If a county wants to move a precinct voting location across the street, it must get federal approval. Other states in the country are not required to get this approval.

Although the Voting Rights Act was clearly needed in 1965 in Georgia, we now lead the country in voting rights for minorities, minority elected officials, and minority voter participation, and should not be punished. The preclearance portions of the Voting Rights Act should apply to all states, or no states. Singling out certain states for special scrutiny no longer makes sense.