Voting Rights

Voting rights in the United States have undergone significant changes throughout its history, with a focus on ensuring equal access to the ballot box for all citizens. While significant progress has been made, challenges and ongoing debates persist.

  • In the ‘About’ section of this post is an overview of the issues or challenges, potential solutions, and web links. Other sections have information on relevant legislation, committees, agencies, programs in addition to information on the judiciary, nonpartisan & partisan organizations, and a wikipedia entry.
  • To participate in ongoing forums, ask the post’s curators questions, and make suggestions, scroll to the ‘Discuss’ section at the bottom of each post or select the “comment” icon.

The Voting Rights category has related posts on government agencies and departments and  committees and their Chairs.

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Justice Department (DOJ)

The United States Department of Justice (DOJ), also known as the Justice Department, is a federal executive department of the United States government tasked with the enforcement of federal law and administration of justice in the United States. It is equivalent to the justice or interior ministries of other countries.

The department is headed by the U.S. Attorney General, who is nominated by the president and confirmed by the US Senate and is a member of the Cabinet. The current attorney general is Merrick Garland, who was sworn in March 11, 2021.

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Federal Election Commission (FEC)

The Federal Election Commission (FEC) is the independent regulatory agency charged with administering and enforcing the federal campaign finance law. The FEC has jurisdiction over the financing of campaigns for the U.S. House, Senate, Presidency and the Vice Presidency.

Federal campaign finance law covers three broad subjects:

Source: Government Site

OnAir Post: Federal Election Commission (FEC)

Judiciary Committee (Senate)

Mission:  to oversee the Department of Justice (DOJ), consider executive and judicial nominations, as well as review pending legislation.

House counterpart: Committee on the Judiciary

Democratic Members (Minority):
Dick Durbin, Illinois – Ranking Member
Sheldon Whitehouse, Rhode Island
Amy Klobuchar, Minnesota
Chris Coons, Delaware
Richard Blumenthal, Connecticut
Mazie Hirono, Hawaii
Cory Booker, New Jersey
Alex Padilla, California
Peter Welch, Vermont
Adam Schiff, California

Republican Members (Majority):
Lindsey Graham, South Carolina,
John Cornyn, Texas
Mike Lee, Utah
Ted Cruz, Texas
Josh Hawley, Missouri
Thom Tillis, North Carolina
John Kennedy, Louisiana
Marsha Blackburn, Tennessee
Eric Schmitt, Missouri
Katie Britt, Alabama
Mike Crapo, Idaho

Featured Video: 
Senate Judiciary Committee holds a hearing on responding to ransomware attacks — 7/27/2021

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Dick Durbin – IL

Current Position: US Senator since 1997
Affiliation: Democrat
Former Position: US Representative from 1983 – 1997

Featured Quote: 
This country needs a new Civilian Conservation Corps for the 21st century. We can put Americans to work, preserve our precious natural parks, and protect the environment—all at once. More about my plan with @RepBobbyRush

Senator Durbin is in his fifth Senate term and has served as the Senate Democratic whip since 2005 (the second-highest position in the Democratic leadership in the Senate) and as the Senate majority whip since 2021. He chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee,

Sen. Dick Durbin’s closing remarks at Amy Coney Barrett Supreme Court hearing

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Lindsey Graham – SC

Current Position: US Senator since 2003
Affiliation: Republican
Former Positions: US Representative from 1995 – 2003; State Delegate from 1993 – 1995

Other Positions:  Chair, Subcommittee on the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs  – Committee on Appropriations; Ranking Member, Committee on the Budget

From 1982 to 1988, when he served with the Judge Advocate General’s Corps in the United States Air Force, as a defense attorney and then as the Air Force’s chief prosecutor in Europe, based in West Germany. Graham worked as a lawyer in private practice before serving one term in the South Carolina House of Representatives from 1993 to 1995.

Graham sought the Republican nomination for president between June and December 2015, dropping out before the 2016 Republican primaries began. He was an outspoken critic of Donald Trump’s 2016 candidacy and repeatedly said he did not support Trump.

Featured Quote: 
I hope the Biden Administration will let the Taliban know American air power will be available to the Afghan military without time restrictions. If not, we have very dangerous days ahead for the USA and Afghan women as we reach 20th anniversary of 9/11.

Axios On HBO: Senator Lindsey Graham on Trump’s Role in the Republican Party (Clip) | HBO

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Judiciary Committee (House)

Oversee the administration of justice within the federal courts, administrative agencies and Federal law enforcement entities. The Judiciary Committee is also the committee responsible for impeachments of federal officials.

Senate counterpart:  Committee on the Judiciary

Subcommittees:

  • Administrative State, Regulatory Reform and Antitrust
  • The Constitution and Limited Government
  • Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet
  • Crime and Federal Government Surveillance
  • Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement
  • Responsiveness and Accountability to Oversight

Chair: Jim Jordan, Ohio
Ranking Member: Jerry Nadler, New York

Majority Staff Director: Christopher Hixon
Minority Chief of Staff: Amy Rutkin
Meeting Location: 2138 Rayburn House Building, Washington, DC  20515; Phone: (202) 225-6906

Featured Video: 
Oversight of the Voting Rights Act: Potential Legislative Reforms – August 16, 2021
Web Links

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Michael Guest MS-03

Current Position: US Representative of MS 3rd District since 2019
Affiliation: Republican
Former Position: District Attorney of Rankin County and Madison County from 2008 – 2019
District:   covers central portions of state and stretches from the Louisiana border in the west to the Alabama border in the east.
Upcoming Election:

He became the ranking member of the United States House Committee on Ethics upon the August 2022 death of Jackie Walorski, and became its chair in the 118th Congress after Republicans won a House majority that November.

He served as the Assistant District Attorney for Madison and Rankin counties from 1994 to 2008, and became District Attorney in 2008.

Featured Quote: 
The amicus brief that I filed along with my colleagues in the House and Senate is a strong step toward defending our unborn children and overturning Roe v. Wade. Learn more in my interview with Newsmax. #ProLife #SCOTUS

Rep Michael Guest’s Opening Statement at 5-13-2021 Economic Development Subcommittee Hearing

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