Voting Rights: What’s Left to Protect 60 Years After Landmark Law?

Sixty years after the Voting Rights Act was signed into law, the very protections that marched Americans from Selma to the ballot box are hanging by a thread.

Today marks the 60th anniversary, and under President Donald Trump’s second administration, the Justice Department has pulled back on enforcement.

In this Aug. 6, 1965, photo, President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Voting Rights Act of 1965 on Aug. 6, 1965, in a ceremony in the President’s Room at the U.S. Capitol Washington. Surrounding the president from left directly above his right hand, Vice President Hubert Humphrey; House Speaker John McCormack; Rep. Emanuel Celler, D-N.Y.; first daughter Luci Johnson; and Sen. Everett Dirksen, R-Ill. Behind Humphrey is House Majority Leader Carl Albert of Oklahoma; and behind Celler is Sen. Carl Hayden, D-Ariz. (AP Photo)

Courts are now questioning whether everyday people — not just the government — can sue when their voting rights are violated.

If the Supreme Court rules against a private right of action, communities of color may have no legal recourse.

That would mean no way to challenge racial gerrymandering — like what’s happening in Texas — rising voter suppression, or unfair election maps.

- Advertisement -

It’s dangerous, especially as the Department of Justice has dismantled its civil rights unit and Republicans have pushed federal ID laws targeting Black, brown, Native and immigrant voters.

What is left if Americans can’t even defend their own right to vote?


Click play to listen to the report from AURN White House Correspondent Ebony McMorris. For more news, follow @E_N_McMorris & @aurnonline.

The post Voting Rights: What’s Left to Protect 60 Years After Landmark Law? appeared first on American Urban Radio Networks.

spot_img
spot_img

Hot this week

Health care company agrees to pay $22.5 million to settle claims of over billing

A health care company agreed to pay nearly $22.5...

Business association ‘disappointed’ by WA L&I’s proposed workers comp rate hike

(The Center Square) – The Association of Washington Business...

Sports betting bill still alive in Georgia House

(The Center Square) – A bill that would allow...

Sports betting expert offers advice on paying taxes for gambling winnings

(The Center Square) – Tax season is underway, and...

African and Caribbean Nations Call for Reparations for Slave Trade, Propose Global Fund

Nations across Africa and the Caribbean, deeply impacted by...

Dr. Dre Reaches Billionaire Status on Forbes List

(AURN News) — According to Forbes, Dr. Dre has...

Wisconsin bill would require local approval of wind, solar projects

(The Center Square) - A Wisconsin Senate bill would...

WA Senate Republicans unable to stop income tax bill now headed to governor’s desk

(The Center Square) – Democrats in the Washington State...

Texas gun club files suit over federal machine gun ban

A Texas gun club is challenging the constitutionality of...

Funds for Medicaid spent on autism centers spikes

(The Center Square) – Funds for Medicaid spent on...

CTA security enhancement plan follows federal push, complaints

(The Center Square) – After resident complaints and threatened...

Critics concerned seizure detection bill impacts Illinois’ small businesses

(The Center Square) – Legislation that could make insurance...

IEA agrees to release 400M barrels from strategic oil reserves

(The Center Square) – The International Energy Agency’s 32...

More like this
Related

Dr. Dre Reaches Billionaire Status on Forbes List

(AURN News) — According to Forbes, Dr. Dre has...

Wisconsin bill would require local approval of wind, solar projects

(The Center Square) - A Wisconsin Senate bill would...

WA Senate Republicans unable to stop income tax bill now headed to governor’s desk

(The Center Square) – Democrats in the Washington State...

Texas gun club files suit over federal machine gun ban

A Texas gun club is challenging the constitutionality of...