Category Archives: Department of Justice
“Despite voter ID law, minority turnout up in Georgia”
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: “When Georgia became one of the first states in the nation to demand a photo ID at the ballot box, both sides served up dire predictions. Opponents labeled it a Jim Crow-era tactic that would suppress the… Continue reading
“Did Greg Abbott Just Save the Voting Rights Act?”
Texas Lawbook: “The Texas Attorney General claims in court that the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 is outdated, unnecessary and an unconstitutional encroachment on the sovereignty of the state, but his legal efforts may have just assured the… Continue reading
“Way Cleared for November Vote in Texas”
“On Overreaching, or Why Rick Perry May Save the Voting Rights Act But Destroy Affirmative Action”
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”
Read Joey Fishkin on the two Texas VRA decisions this week.
“Rejected voter ID law, maps ruled discriminatory not deterring Texas Republicans”
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
Texas Voter ID Roundup
Sounds Like There Will Be No Emergency SCOTUS Action in the Texas Voter ID Case
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
Ari Berman’s Take on the Texas Voter ID Decision
Here, at The Nation.
Reactions to Texas Voter ID Decision
Breaking News: Federal Court Holds Texas Voter ID Law Violates Voting Rights Act [Now Updated with Analysis]
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
“Minority, Dem groups act to challenge interim redistricting maps”
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