Ahead of what’s likely to be the first presidential election since 1965 without the Voting Rights Act in full effect, 50 members of Congress have joined to form the Voting Rights Caucus. The caucus will work to educate the public about voting restrictions enacted since the Supreme Court struck down a key section of the Voting Rights Act in 2013. “The caucus is long overdue,” said Congressional Black Caucus Chairman G.K. Butterfield of North Carolina, speaking at a press conference outside the House of Representatives Tuesday to launch the caucus. Seventeen states will have voting rights restrictions in effect for the first time in a presidential election since the passage of the Voting Rights Act in 1965, according to the Brennan Center for Justice.
The Supreme Court struck down section 4 of the Voting Rights Act in 2013 in its Shelby vs. Holder decision. The ruling effectively did away with the requirement that made certain states and congressional districts seek permission in advance, or “pre-clearance,” from the federal government before changing their voting laws.
“It is a shame that in 2016 we still need a caucus,” said Alabama Rep. Terri A. Sewell, who will co-chair the new caucus.
Full Article: ‘No Vote, No Voice,’ Says Newly Formed Voting Rights Caucus.