Supreme Court and Voting Rights Act

"A Turning Point for Voting Rights Law: Room for Debate Blog," NYTimes.com, April 29, 2009. "The Supreme Court heard oral arguments today on the constitutionality of a central provision of the Voting Rights Act, considered one of the most effective civil rights laws passed by Congress. The provision, known as Section 5, requires states and local governments with a history of discrimination to obtain advance federal permission, or 'preclearance,' before changing their election laws."