Today, a D.C. federal court rejected a challenge to an integral part of the Voting Rights Act that protects minorities’ right to vote.
“The right to vote has been under attack across the country, with many states passing laws that will keep minorities, seniors and low-income residents away from the polls,” said Laughlin McDonald, director of the ACLU Voting Rights Project in a press release.
The ACLU and Southern Coalition for Social Justice had previously intervened in Laroque v. Holder “on behalf of the North Carolina State Conference of the NAACP and six minority residents.” The case challenged Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act, which requires certain jurisdictions with histories of voter suppression to seek federal approval before changing election laws.
“Today’s decision recognizes the importance of the Voting Rights Act for protecting everyone’s right to vote. States that challenge the constitutionality of a law that is so critical for ensuring eligible voters can participate in our democracy are not acting responsibly.”