Supreme Court Seems Inclined to Limit Race-Based Electoral Districts
The Supreme Court appeared ready to gut a key tool of the Voting Rights Act that's battled racial discrimination in voting for 60 years.
During 2 1/2 hours of arguments, the court’s six conservative justices seemed inclined to effectively strike down a Black majority congressional district in Louisiana because it relied too heavily on race.
Such an outcome would mark a fundamental change in the 1965 voting rights law, the centerpiece legislation of the Civil Rights Movement, that succeeded in opening the ballot box to Black Americans and reducing persistent discrimination in voting.
This change would boost Republican electoral prospects, particularly across the South.
Author's summary: Supreme Court may limit Voting Rights Act.