Fact Check: Supreme Court's conservative majority has limited Voting Rights Act protections since 2013.

Fact Check: Supreme Court's Conservative Majority Has Limited Voting Rights Act Protections Since 2013

What We Know

The claim that the Supreme Court's conservative majority has limited Voting Rights Act protections since 2013 is supported by significant legal developments. In 2013, the Supreme Court ruled in Shelby County v. Holder, striking down a key provision of the Voting Rights Act (VRA) that established a formula for determining which jurisdictions required federal approval before making changes to their voting laws. This ruling effectively nullified the preclearance requirement for nine states, which had been designed to prevent racial discrimination in voting practices (NPR source-2). Since then, various cases have emerged that further challenge and potentially weaken the protections afforded by the VRA, particularly Section 2, which prohibits voting practices that discriminate based on race (AP News source-3).

In recent years, the Supreme Court has continued to hear cases related to redistricting and voting rights, with decisions that have raised concerns among civil rights advocates about the erosion of protections for minority voters. For instance, the Court's decision in a 2023 Alabama redistricting case upheld previous rulings that could limit the effectiveness of Section 2 (NPR source-1).

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim is robust, as it is backed by a series of Supreme Court decisions that have systematically reduced the scope of the Voting Rights Act since 2013. The Shelby County decision is particularly pivotal, as it removed federal oversight that had been crucial in preventing discriminatory practices in states with a history of voting discrimination. Legal experts have noted that this ruling has led to a resurgence of laws and practices that could disenfranchise minority voters (NPR source-2).

Furthermore, the ongoing litigation surrounding cases like Louisiana v. Callais indicates that the conservative majority of the Supreme Court is likely to continue shaping the legal landscape of voting rights in a manner that could further limit protections. Experts suggest that the Court's reluctance to make definitive rulings in these cases may reflect internal divisions about the future of the Voting Rights Act (NPR source-1).

However, it is important to note that while the Court has made decisions that limit protections, the full extent of these limitations will depend on future rulings and legislative actions. The reliability of sources discussing these developments varies, but major news outlets and legal experts provide a consensus view that aligns with the claim.

Conclusion

The verdict is True. The Supreme Court's conservative majority has indeed limited Voting Rights Act protections since 2013, primarily through its ruling in Shelby County v. Holder and subsequent decisions that have undermined the enforcement of the Act. The ongoing legal battles and the Court's handling of redistricting cases suggest a trend that could further erode these protections in the future.

Fact Check: Supreme Court's conservative majority has limited Voting Rights Act protections since 2013.