Category Archives: Voting Rights Act

“Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act and the ‘Aggregate Powers’ of Congress over Elections”

September 3, 2012, 7:53 pmVoting Rights ActRick Hasen

Jack Chin has posted this draft on SSRN. Here is the abstract: In NAMUDNO v. Holder, the Supreme Court suggested that Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was unconstitutional. The Court explained that Section 5, requiring preclearance… Continue reading

“Way Cleared for November Vote in Texas”

September 1, 2012, 1:22 pmDepartment of Justice, redistricting, voting, Voting Rights ActRick Hasen

NYT reports.

“On Overreaching, or Why Rick Perry May Save the Voting Rights Act But Destroy Affirmative Action”

September 1, 2012, 1:10 pmDepartment of Justice, voting, Voting Rights ActRick Hasen

Ellen Katz has posted this draft on SSRN (forthcoming, Election Law Journal). Here is the abstract: The State of Texas is presently staking out two positions that are not typically pursued by a single litigant. On the one hand, Texas… Continue reading

“Poverty, Dignity, and Voting Rights in Texas”

September 1, 2012, 1:07 pmDepartment of Justice, voter id, Voting Rights ActRick Hasen

Read Joey Fishkin on the two Texas VRA decisions this week.

“Rejected voter ID law, maps ruled discriminatory not deterring Texas Republicans”

August 31, 2012, 4:51 pmDepartment of Justice, election administration, The Voting Wars, voter id, Voting Rights ActRick Hasen

AP: “On Election Day in Texas, the mere act of voting would have been fresh flexing of Republican power: Show a photo ID, then cast a ballot in a political district likely drawn to favor GOP candidates. The script… Continue reading

Sounds Like There Will Be No Emergency SCOTUS Action in the Texas Voter ID Case

August 30, 2012, 3:33 pmDepartment of Justice, election administration, The Voting Wars, voter id, voter initiatives, Voting Rights ActRick Hasen

Earlier today I wrote about how Texas, which had indicated an intent to appeal, could seek emergency relief from the Supreme Court to put its ID law into effect for November’s elections. But now comes this from AP: “State… Continue reading

About Those Attempts to Redo the Texas District Lines for This Election…..

August 30, 2012, 12:47 pmredistricting, Voting Rights ActRick Hasen

the 3-judge-court in San Antonio ain’t buying it. That’s what I expected, and it’s clearly the right call so close to the election and after the delayed primaries.

Ari Berman’s Take on the Texas Voter ID Decision

August 30, 2012, 11:23 amDepartment of Justice, The Voting Wars, voter id, Voting Rights ActRick Hasen

Here, at The Nation.

“Voting Rights Act: The State of Section 5”

August 30, 2012, 10:48 amSupreme Court, Voting Rights ActRick Hasen

Timely ProPublica piece.

Reactions to Texas Voter ID Decision

August 30, 2012, 10:42 amDepartment of Justice, election administration, The Voting Wars, voter id, Voting Rights ActRick Hasen

Texas AG (who promises an appeal to the Supreme Court) Brennan Center NAACP MALC

Breaking News: Federal Court Holds Texas Voter ID Law Violates Voting Rights Act [Now Updated with Analysis]

August 30, 2012, 8:59 amDepartment of Justice, voter id, Voting Rights ActRick Hasen

You can read the unanimous 56-page opinion by Judge Tatel at this link. The court has put in a scheduling order to address at a later date whether section 5 of the Voting Rights Act is unconstitutional. 1. This is… Continue reading

“Judge to Toss Out Changes in Florida Voter Registration”

August 30, 2012, 7:58 amelection administration, The Voting Wars, voter registration, Voting Rights ActRick Hasen

NYT reports.

“Minority, Dem groups act to challenge interim redistricting maps”

August 29, 2012, 9:45 pmDepartment of Justice, redistricting, Voting Rights ActRick Hasen

San Antonio Express-News: “Several key minority and Democratic groups took a first step Wednesday toward challenging Texas’ interim redistricting maps, put in place for the 2012 election, by filing a request for a preliminary hearing in federal court.” I… Continue reading

“As Republican convention emphasizes diversity, racial incidents intrude”

August 29, 2012, 9:43 pmpolitical parties, voting, Voting Rights ActRick Hasen

WaPo reports. An important snippet: A new Post poll put the difference between the two parties’ perception of minority voters on stark display. Respondents were asked an open-ended question: Why do most black voters so consistently support Democrats? Though… Continue reading