The Pacific Legal Foundation‘s Sharon Browne talked about the Voting Rights case presently before the U.S Supreme Court on a Federalist Society podcast.
Background: Decades ago, certain jurisdictions tried to keep blacks away from the polls. The infamous poll tax was one method. Over 40 years ago, Congress enacted a law (known as Section 5) that required states like Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Louisiana to seek Justice Department approval to change voting procedures (pre-clearance).
In 1975, Texas was added to the list of states covered by the provision. In 2006, the act was extended for the fourth time – for 25 years. A utility district in Texas that came into existence in 1986 challenged the law. Considering the racial progress made in the last four decades, particularly the election of black officials, the pre-clearance requirement is intrusive and based on out-of-date evidence, the plaintiff contends.
Browne explains why the court should strike down Section 5. You may download the MP3 or listen online at this page.
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