Secretary of State Beth Chapman said today’s
US Supreme Court decision on the Voting Rights Act is a pivotal time in
Alabama’s election history. The decision came from a court case from Shelby County
which made its way to the top court in the nation.
While there was no ruling on Section 5 of the
Voting Rights Act itself, the Court held that Congress must revise the formula
located in Section 4 used to determine which states must have every change to
election laws approved by the United States Department of Justice.
Alabama has been one of nine states since the
mid 1960’s who had to pre-clear all changes to their voting procedures with the
US Department of Justice.
“We are not the same state we were decades
ago and I am glad that the majority of the Supreme Court recognizes that fact,”
Chapman said. “Alabama has made great progress in our elections process.”
There still exists a provision of the Voting
Rights Act where issues of discrimination can be prosecuted.
“If there is a time or circumstance where a
voter feels there has been any discrimination regarding the elections process,
then Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act will provide a way for that case to be
heard as it should,” Chapman said.
“Chief Justice Roberts and a majority of the
court recognize the Alabama of today is not the Alabama of the past. We will continue to provide fair and honest
elections for all citizens.” Chapman
said.
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