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Author: Joshua Thompson PLF Principal Attorney Sharon Browne is currently being featured on the Federalist Society's website dicussing the Supreme Court's recent decision in Northwest Austin Municipal Utility District No. 1 v. Holder.  Northwest Austin was expected to be a landmark decision regarding the constitutionality of the Votin ...

Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act requires “covered” states to “preclear” any changes in their state election procedures with the federal government before those changes go into effect. Many southern states are covered by this requirement, as are various areas of other states (including California). The issue currently befo ...

Ever since the Supreme Court’s decision in Northwest Austin, it appears as though bailout is actually a real option for some jurisdicitons. This is a welcome development, but Section 5 is still unconstitutional.  I discussed the constitutionality of Section 5 at Stanford Law School in January.   … ...

Last week, PLF filed this brief in the United States Supreme Court in support of Shelby County, Alabama.  Shelby County is challenging the constitutionality of Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act.  PLF’s brief urges the Supreme Court to take up this very important case. The Voting Rights Act (Act) was an iconic piece of legislation.  It ...

Today the Supreme Court agreed to hear Shelby County v. Holder, a case which challenges the 2006 reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act.  PLF has been heavily involved in getting this case before the Supreme Court, just like we were 3 years ago when the Court agreed to hear a similar challenge.  In that case, … ...

The Washington Times publised this op-ed that I co-authored with Roger Clegg of the Center for Equal Opportunity.  Here’s a snippet: So Section 5 now guarantees districts that are less competitive and more polarized, not only racially but ideologically. It insulates Republican candidates and incumbents from minority voters and from issues ...

SCOTUSblog is running a very interesting symposium on the upcoming oral argument in Shelby County v. Holder, the case challenging the constitutionality of Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act.  Here’s a snippet from my contribution: To the extent that the oral argument focuses on the unconstitutional – but easily remedied – coverage formu ...

Tomorrow, I will be apprearing on Southern California public radio — KPCC 89.3 — to discuss the upcoming oral argument in Shelby County v. Holder.  I will be debating someone who supports Section 5. You can listen live here. … ...

Roger Clegg and I penned this essay on Shelby County v. Holder, the case challenging the constitutionality of Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act.  Shelby County is going to be argued before the Supreme Court tomorrow.  Here’s the conclusion of the essay: The Left is crying that the Supreme Court of Chief Justice Roberts is poised … ...