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Home » Issues & Cases » Equality Under the Law Program » Featured Case
Feds should no longer be micro-managing local political procedures
Shelby v. Holder
Contact: Joshua P. Thompson
Status: The Supreme Court granted the petition for writ of certiorari on Nov. 9, 2012. PLF amicus merits brief filed Jan. 2, 2013. Oral argument held Feb. 27, 2013. Awaiting decision.
Summary:
 This case challenges the constitutionality of Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Section 5 requires covered states and jurisdictions to obtain approval from the federal government before implementing even the most trivial changes to voting procedures. Shelby County, Alabama, held several special elections under a newly adopted law, and did not seek preclearance before holding the elections. The Justice Department objected, and the County filed suit. PLF will argue that Section 5 is unconstitutional, because it is no longer a legal means of enforcing the Fifteenth Amendment.
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