MN Prof. Talks Supreme Court Ruling On Voting Rights Act
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A professor with Macalester College calls Tuesday's Supreme Court ruling nullifying part of the Voting Rights Act a "step back."
"It is disappointing because voting discrimination still exists," said American Studies professor Duchess Harris, an expert in Civil Rights law.
The court rejected a provision of the Voting Rights Act that requires some states and localities to get federal approval before changing voting laws. The 5-to-4 decision declared the law no longer reflects the progress that's been made in the nation since it was enacted a half century ago.
Harris said it is not just about race.
"People who are in assisted living facilities or retirement homes who do not have accurate up to date photo ID are impacted by this decision," she said.
Minnesota voters defeated a constitutional amendment that would have required voters to have a photo ID. Harris said it's possible this decision will allow some lawmakers to re-visit the issue.
"It depends what they want to do," she said.
She believes this action will have an impact on voters' right in the country.
