Why the Supreme Court May Rule Against the Voting Rights Act

By Suevon Lee, ProPublica Feb 26, 2013 On Wednesday, the Supreme Court will hear arguments in Shelby County v. Holder, a case challenging the constitutionality of a key part of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. What is the Voting Rights Act? And why does it matter? Here's a quick guide to what could be, as the influential SCOTUSBlog put it, "one of the most significant rulings of the current term." Dig deeper ( 7 Min. Read )

Florida Harks Back to 2000 Election With Latest Voter Purge

Staff / Truthdig Jun 2, 2012 Florida is no stranger to voting controversies. Remember Bush v. Gore in 2000? That's why it is both puzzling and troublesome that the state would once again attempt to undermine the voting process -- and in effect democracy itself -- in a rather nefarious fashion. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Supreme Court Surprises With Civil Rights Decision

Staff / Truthdig Jun 23, 2009 The Supreme Court has spared the 1965 Voting Rights Act, agreeing by an 8-1 margin to leave a ruling on its more controversial parts for another day -- and perhaps another court. The near-unanimous narrow decision came as a surprise, with justices apparently retreating from earlier divisions that led some court watchers to predict the legislation's demise. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )