Oct 19 New voter ID rules, other election changes could cause confusion By Rebecca Beitsch, Stateline New voter ID requirements, early voting schedules and voter registration rules in more than a dozen states are creating uncertainty that could dampen turnout. Continue reading
Oct 19 U.S. Justice Department to dispatch fewer election observers By Eric Tucker, Associated Press The reduction is likely to diminish the Justice Department's ability to detect voter intimidation and other potential problems at the polls. Continue reading
Jul 29 North Carolina voter ID law overturned for 'racially discriminatory intent' By Courtney Norris A federal appeals court, comprised of three Democratic appointees, ruled Friday that recent changes to North Carolina’s voting law by the state's Republican-controlled government violated the U.S. Constitution and the Voting Rights Act. Continue reading
Jun 27 Supreme Court to review whether North Carolina relied too heavily on race in redistricting By Jonathan Drew, Associated Press The Supreme Court agreed to decide whether Republican lawmakers relied too heavily on race when they redrew North Carolina's congressional districts to give the GOP a powerful advantage in the swing state. Continue reading
Aug 06 Watch 11:10 50 years on, does the Voting Rights Act offer adequate protection? By PBS News Hour Fifty years ago, the Voting Rights Act outlawed discriminatory practices used to stop Americans from casting a ballot. President Obama marked the occasion with civil rights leaders, cautioning that those rights are still at risk. Gwen Ifill talks to Imani… Continue watching
Aug 06 Remembering the Voting Rights Act of 1965 By Katelyn Polantz, Colleen Shalby Since 1965, the Voting Rights Act has been one of the most prominent pieces of civil rights legislation. Its aim: to ensure that people in areas with a history of racial discrimination receive fair treatment when they vote. The Supreme… Continue reading
Aug 06 Debate over voter ID laws marks 50th anniversary of Voting Rights Act By Kristen Doerer On Tuesday, August 5, the day before the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, a U.S. appeals court struck down a Texas voter ID law, finding it discriminatory and in direct violation of the landmark civil rights legislation. Continue reading
Mar 09 Watch 9:39 Finding hope and reality in Obama's speech at Selma By PBS News Hour Gwen Ifill talks to Nia-Malika Henderson of The Washington Post and Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report about President Obama’s speech at the 50th anniversary of the bloody protest at Selma, Alabama, and how the 2016 presidential race could… Continue watching
Mar 08 Obama speaks out against voter ID laws as barrier to voting By Associated Press President Barack Obama says voter ID laws can be a barrier to voting, and the government needs a revitalized Voting Rights Act to police ballot box discrimination. Continue reading
Mar 05 LBJ linked Latinos, civil rights in 'Selma' speech By Russell Contreras, Associated Press Fifty years ago, President Lyndon B. Johnson asked a joint session of Congress to respond to the brutal beatings of protesters in Selma, Alabama, by passing a federal Voting Rights Act that would "open the city of hope to all… Continue reading