It is important that Congress renew all three provisions that are set to expire: Section 5, which requires federal approval for proposed changes in voting or election procedures in areas with a history of discrimination; Section 203, which requires some jurisdictions to provide assistance in other languages to voters who are not literate or fluent in English; and the portions of Sections 6-9 of the Act that authorize the federal government to send federal election examiners and observers to certain jurisdictions covered by Section 5, where there is evidence of attempts to intimidate minority voters at the polls.
The Voting Rights Act was reauthorized in 1970 and 1975. In both of these reauthorizations Congress heard extensive testimony concerning the ways in which voting electorates were manipulated through gerrymandering, annexations, adoption of at-large elections and other structural changes to prevent newly registered black voters from effectively using the ballot. Congress also heard testimony about voting discrimination suffered by Hispanic, Asian and American Indian citizens. The 1975 amendments added protections from voting discrimination for minority-language citizens.
In 1982 the act was amended and Section 5 was reauthorized through 2007.
Congress also adopted a new standard, which went into effect in 1985, providing how jurisdictions could terminate (or "bail out" from) coverage under the special provisions of Section 4. Furthermore, after extensive hearings, Congress decided that Section 2 should be amended to prohibit vote dilution without a requirement of proof of discriminatory purpose.
If Section 5 is not extended, the covered jurisdictions will not have to submit voting changes to the Department of Justice. The loss of federal authority to control voting procedures could enable local governments to more easily discriminate against minority voters.
Renewing the Voting Rights Act won't solve all of these problems, but more Americans will have confidence that their votes really do count. If we are to be an example of liberal democracy and equality of opportunity, let us start by recommitting ourselves to forging bipartisan solutions to the nation's continuing civil rights problems. Let's carry on the important work that remains to become a "more perfect union" with equal justice and a government of, by and for the people.