Legal Defense Fund Archives | American Democracy Minute

The SCOTUS Majority is Bent on Dismantling the Voting Rights Act. Lacking Federal Protection, Pro-Democracy States are Enacting State VRAs

June 26, 2024June 26, 2024

We reported recently on the impact of Shelby County v. Holder, the U.S. Supreme Court majority’s decision invalidating Section 5 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Anticipating even more erosion of the VRA, some states have passed their own state VRAs.

U.S. Supreme Court Takes No Action in Louisiana Case; Circuit Court Case on Racially Gerrymandered Congressional Districts Moves Forward in 2024

October 22, 2023December 28, 2023

A Louisiana racial gerrymandering case we’ve been following will be allowed to go forward, but just not as quickly, due to a U.S. Supreme Court no-action decision on Oct. 19th. It could still mean fairer maps before the 2024 election.

A Victory for Black Voters as Court Approves Special Master’s Maps in Alabama

October 9, 2023December 29, 2023

In a victory for Alabama’s Black voters, a federal appeals court chose a new Congressional voting district map with two districts where Black voters finally have a reasonable chance at electing the candidate of their choice.

American Democracy Minute for June 9, 2022: NY Legislature sends John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to the Governor

June 8, 2022June 8, 2022

In November 2021, pro-voter legislators tried to pass the “John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act in the U.S. Senate. Among several reforms, the bill which would have restored some of the protections of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. The bill failed to get the 60 votes needed to override the anti-democracy filibuster. But the State of New York may succeed where the U.S. Senate failed.