SUMMARY
Legal challenges surrounding voting rights in multiple states could alter the nation’s political landscape ahead of the 2024 elections. Georgia is redrawing its congressional maps after a judge ruled current maps dilute the power of Black voters. And another ruling could roll back decades of enforcement that protected minority representation. Laura Barrón-López discussed more with Janai Nelson.
For a transcript of this story, click here.
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WARM UP QUESTIONS:
- Who filed the legal challenges described in this story?
- What specific ruling was made by the Eighth Circuit Federal Appeals court?
- When did the special legislative session begin in Georgia?
- How many years have voters been able to bring lawsuits directly in federal court to make sure that they are not being discriminated against?
- Which states are primarily affected?
FOCUS QUESTIONS
How might the ruling contribute to voter suppression and racial discrimination in the electoral process?
Media literacy: Do you know where your local polling place is? Find out by checking with Vote Smart!
Alternative: See, Think, Wonder: What did you notice? What did the story make you think? What story would you want to find out more about? Where would you go to learn more?
FOR MORE
What students can do: Discuss — why is the federal court's ruling on Georgia significant?
Check out this Student Reporting Labs video on a family of election workers explaining what they do.
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