Voting Rights Act
Can the census ask if you’re a citizen? Here’s what’s at stake in the Supreme Court battle over the 2020 census
The Supreme Court is hearing arguments about including a citizenship question on the 2020 US census. Critics argue that asking about citizenship will discourage census participation, especially by Latinos.
The History of the Voting Rights Act: The Origins of the Preclearance Provision
In June, the Supreme Court ruled Section Four of the Voting Rights Act unconstitutional. Depending on who you talk to, the decision either gutted the legislation or deeply diminished its strength. At the center of the Supreme Court’s decision was a formula used to define which states and counties were subject to federal review of […]
After VRA Ruling, Florida Looks to Make Sweeping Changes Without Oversight
Earlier this summer, the Supreme Court gave states and localities the green light to remake their voting laws without the federal government’s approval. The change came from a 5-4 decision in the case Shelby County Vs. Holder. At the heart of the case were two provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965–Section 5, which […]
North Carolina Overhauls Election Process
It has been eight weeks since the Supreme Court struck down a key provision of the Voting Rights Act, which has paved the way for states to make major changes to their election laws now that they are no longer subject to federal scrutiny. Last week North Carolina became the latest to implement changes–the governor […]
U.S. Supreme Court strikes down key provision of Voting Rights Act
The provision of the Voting Rights Act that states which jurisdictions must get federal permission for changes to their voting standards was struck down on Tuesday by a divided Supreme Court. The overall law remains in tact, but will require Congressional action for pre-clearance to happen.
Despite law, some new Americans may not get voting support they need
Under the Voting Rights Act, any legal jurisdiction with at least 5 percent of its population speaking something other than English as a foreign language must provide ballots and voting support in that language, as well as English. But, whether intentionally or inadvertently, many jurisdictions are ignoring that requirement.