11/20/2023

U.S. Appeals Court Ruling Strikes at Core of Voting Rights Act

Private parties file the vast majority of VRA cases

On Monday, a federal appeals court ruled that only the U.S. government, not private parties, can sue under a landmark civil rights law barring racial discrimination in voting, a decision that would significantly hamper usage of the Voting Rights Act to challenge ballot access, voting rules and redistricting.

The ruling, which is expected to be appealed, could set up the next voting rights battle at the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS).

The vast majority of Voting Rights Act cases are filed by private parties. For instance, the case that prompted the Supreme Court earlier this year to strike down Alabama's congressional map was originally filed by a coalition of civil rights groups.

Please select this link to read the complete article from Reuters.