States create their own voting rights laws post-Supreme Court

Some states are working on their own versions of the Voting Rights Act to protect non-white voters. This movement follows cuts to the federal law by courts, which have reduced protections for these voters. Lawmakers in states like Alabama, Arizona, and Maryland are introducing new legislation this session, joining others that have passed similar laws in recent years. However, passing these bills is challenging. For instance, Michigan's Voting Rights Act failed in the state House last year after initially passing the Senate. Even in states led by Democrats, these proposals face legal concerns. Connecticut and New York have managed to survive court challenges, but uncertainty remains. The original Voting Rights Act, established in 1965, was a crucial civil rights law aimed at securing voting access for Black Americans. It emerged during a time of significant racial discrimination and violence. The law has been used to protect minority voters from discriminatory laws and redistricting practices. However, in recent years, the U.S. Supreme Court has made rulings that have weakened its protections, claiming that discrimination is no longer a significant issue. One major change came in 2013 when the court removed a key part of the law that required certain states to get federal approval before changing voting laws. This has led some lawmakers, like Maryland's Sen. Charles Sydnor, to create state-level protections. Sydnor's proposal aims to ensure fair representation for racial minorities in local voting districts, allowing lawsuits against local governments that dilute their political voice. Others, like Colorado's Sen. Julie Gonzales, are also pushing for stronger voting rights within their states. Their bills aim to protect against voter suppression and ensure better access to ballots for language minorities. Despite the push for state laws, experts note limitations since they often can't address issues in states that were previously covered by the federal law's preclearance requirements. The debate continues as courts examine ongoing challenges regarding the Voting Rights Act at the federal level.