Legal experts with the Project 21 black leadership network are hailing a
ruling handed down by the U.S. Supreme Court today to bring American
civil rights law into the 21st century by recognizing the evolving
racial opinions of the American people and how increased fairness has
come with such change.
In its decision in the case of Shelby County, Alabama v. Eric H. Holder, Jr.,
the justices ruled that Section 4 "coverage" provisions within the
Voting Rights Act of 1965 do not reflect an America that has changed for
the better since the Act was signed into law almost 50 years ago. Up
until now, Section 4 was used as a tool to establish certain areas of
the country (all or part of 16 states) that needed federal approval to
make any changes in their voting laws.
After
today's decision, Congress can draft a new coverage provision -- a move
that seems unlikely in the current political composition of the
government.
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