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Supreme Court Limits Power of Voting Rights Act

By the Associated Press

Posted Mar 9, 2009 4:26 PM CDT
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(AP) – The Supreme Court ruled today that a part of the Voting Rights Act aimed at helping minorities elect their preferred candidates only applies in electoral districts where minorities make up more than half the population, the AP reports. The decision could make it harder for some minority candidates to win election and for southern Democrats, in particular, to draw friendly electoral boundaries after the 2010 Census.

The 5-4 decision, led by conservatives, came in the case of a North Carolina plan that sought to preserve the influence of African-American voters by ensuring that new districts can't be drawn in a way that reduces their political clout—even though they make up only 39% of the district. The high court ruled in favor of North Carolina law, which dictates that voting districts can't split up counties.

The US Supreme Court is shown February 5, 2009 in Washington, DC.
The US Supreme Court is shown February 5, 2009 in Washington, DC.   (Getty Images)
Voters stand in line to vote at an early voting site in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008.
Voters stand in line to vote at an early voting site in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008.   (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Voters stand in line at an early voting site in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008.
Voters stand in line at an early voting site in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008.   (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Djuana Belk-Massey looks over a sample ballot as she stands in line to vote at an early voting site in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008.
Djuana Belk-Massey looks over a sample ballot as she stands in line to vote at an early voting site in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008.   (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
northeast
Mar 10, 2009 8:01 PM CDT
Read the case brief. At that point, you'll understand why it is that you're completely right on the gerrymandering charge but wrong on the GOP insinuation.
riffran
Mar 10, 2009 6:38 AM CDT
never have liked the concept of gerrymandering,,,,,,regardless of who is doing it. But with fluctuating population density it is difficult to divide fairly...one county having 1 million gets so many reps, another county gets only a few because its less populated, THEN the people in the smaller area get ran rough shod over by the bigger neibhor...ect ect.......so what do ya do?
jeebus
Mar 9, 2009 11:30 PM CDT
When you are the first person of your race to be elected or appointed to a particular position, you represent your race whether you like it or not. Clearance Thomas is doing a rather piss poor job of representing black people in any way, shape or form.

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A rundown of today's high court decisions
Associated Press

 
African Americans • North Carolina • voting • Voting Rights Act • black • US Supreme Court • Scotus

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