Community Corner
Is It Time to End Parts of the Voting Rights Act Still In Place in Some States?
The Supreme Court is expected to rule in the spring on whether the laws, which were put into place almost half a century ago, are now unconstitutional.
Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments on whether to strike down parts of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which requires some states to consult with the federal government on all voting changes. An article by USA Today points out that should it be struck down and Southern states would no longer have to clear it with the federal government every time it wants to move a polling place or institute photo ID laws or restrictions on early voting. One of the reported arguments supporting the fact that it is no longer necessary is the voting records of Mississippi and Massachusetts. Mississippi, which is still subject to the act, has the best black voter turnout, while Massachusetts, not subjected to any federal oversight, has the worst.
What do you think? Have we moved past the time when Southern states need to subjected to federal oversight to ensure racism does not creep back into voting laws?
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