WASHINGTON -
Demonstrators and Congressional
Democrats rallied outside the Supreme Court, asking the justices not to
overturn a part of the Voting Rights Act.
The Voting Rights Act was passed in
19-65 to remove all barriers from voting, especially in the racially divided
south.
Today the Supreme Court
is hearing arguments that challenge the part of the act that still requires
nine states and parts of seven others to get approval from the Justice Department
before changing voting procedures or electoral maps.
The lawsuit originated
from Shelby County, Alabama. Lawyers there say times have changed and the
provision is a burden on local governments.
Most of the southern states this part of
the law covers are fighting to have it overturned. But the Obama administration
and civil rights activists say the provision is still needed to protect voters.
They point to recent state laws limiting
early voting or requiring voters to get government issued photo IDs.
But Carrie Severino from the judicial
crisis network says other parts of the Voting Rights Act will continue to
prohibit discrimination.
Four years ago the Supreme Court looked at
this issue. The justices expressed doubts then, but left the law alone.
The
court is expected to issue its ruling in this case in June.
