GovTrack’s Bill Summary
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H.R. 3112 (97th): An act to amend the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to extend the effect of certain provisions, and for other purposes.
- Introduced:
- Apr 07, 1981 (97th Congress, 1981–1982)
- Sponsor:
- Rep. Peter Rodino Jr. [D-NJ10]
- Status:
- Signed by the President
- Slip Law:
- This bill became Pub.L. 97-205.
The bill’s title was written by the bill’s sponsor. H.R. stands for House of Representatives bill.
Library of Congress Summary
The summary below was written by the Congressional Research Service, which is a nonpartisan division of the Library of Congress.
6/18/1982--Passed Senate amended. (Measure passed Senate, amended, roll call #190 (85-8) (Inserted text of S. 1992, as amended)) Amends the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to extend from August 6, 1982, to August 6, 1984, the current preclearance requirements (under which jurisdictions covered through the triggering mechanism must submit proposed electoral changes to the Department of Justice). Establishes a new standard for jurisdictions to "bail-out" of these requirements effective August 6, 1984. Permits political subdivisions of covered States to bail-out independently of the State. Conditions a declaratory judgment for bail-out on the jurisdiction's showing that it and all its political subdivisions have met the bail-out requirements for a ten-year period prior to the filing of the suit. Includes among the requirements for bail-out that: (1) no test or device has been used to discriminate on account of race, color, or language; (2) no actions alleging voting discrimination are pending or have gone to final judgment; (3) no Federal examiner has served in the jurisdiction seeking bail-out; (4) the jurisdiction and all its subdivisions have complied with the preclearance requirements; and (5) the jurisdiction and its subdivisions have taken affirmative steps to protect voting rights. States that lawsuits filed during pendency of the bail-out litigation will not bar bail-out. Subjects the jurisdiction to the preclearance requirements if any such lawsuit alleging voting violations is successful after bail-out. Restates the prohibition against voting discrimination to include as violative conduct which has the effect of discrimination. Declares that members of a protected class do not have a right to be proportionately represented, but permits consideration of the number of a protected class elected as one of a "totality of circumstances" which may establish a violation. States further that a violation is established if it is shown, based on the "totality of circumstances", that the nomination or election processes are not equally open to members of a protected class insofar as its members have less opportunity to participate and elect their own representatives. Extends the bilingual election requirements from August 6, 1985, to August 6, 1992. Includes the historically unwritten languages of Alaskan Natives and American Indians in the bilingual provisions of the Act. Requires Congress to reconsider the bail-out provisions 15 years after the effective date of this Act and terminates these provisions 25 years after such date. Allows the Attorney General, after investigation, to consent to an entry of judgment based on compelling evidence that a State has complied with the requirements of bail-out. Applies the extention of bilingual election requirements only to members of a single language minority who do not speak English. Permits assistance to be given to any voter requiring such by reason of blindness, disability, or inability to read or write, except by any such voter's employer or union.
House Republican Conference Summary
The summary below was written by the House Republican Conference, which is the caucus of Republicans in the House of Representatives.
No summary available.
House Democratic Caucus Summary
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