Supreme Court Preserves Heart of the Voting Rights Act

Statement of Alliance for Justice President Nan Aron

June 22, 2009,Washington, DC—"The narrow ruling in Northwest Austin Municipal Utility District Number One v. Eric Holder preserves the most effective piece of civil rights legislation in American history.

"Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act requires that covered jurisdictions preclear voting changes before they go into effect to ensure that they will not result in discrimination.  While conservatives on the Supreme Court had appeared eager to strike down the law, today only the Court's most conservative member, Justice Clarence Thomas, would have done so.  Indeed, the Court's opinion recognizes the extraordinary record of continuing discrimination compiled by Congress just three years ago.  Today's opinion maintains the viability of Section 5, the centerpiece of the Voting Rights Act."