Ryan Haygood, LDF’s Director of the Political Participation Group, discusses oral argument in the Supreme Court in Shelby County, Alabama v. Holder, on Politics Nation with Rev. Al Sharpton. Mr. Haygood explains that the Supreme Court has recognized the constitutionality of Congress’s decision, made after an extensive legislative review, to reauthorize Section 5 of the VRA four times over four decades.
Section 5, which applies to parts of the country with some of the worst histories of voting discrimination, protects voters of color from persistent attempts to suppress their vote. Indeed, jurisdictions covered by Section 5 have made notable progress in ensuring the fundamental right to vote for all qualified voters. However, Mr. Haygood explained that racial discrimination in voting remains widespread, adaptive and real for voters of color, confirming the continued need for Section 5.