College of Law

Today (February 27), the United States Supreme Court heard arguments on the voting rights case Shelby County, Ala. v. Holder. At stake is Section 5 of the landmark 1965 Voting Rights Act.

Widely viewed to be the most successful civil rights legislation in U.S. history, the Voting Rights Act outlawed discriminatory voting practices and extended federal oversight of election administration. Specifically, it was aimed at preventing the disenfranchisement of African-Americans.

The American Constitution Society recently asked WVU Law professor Atiba Ellis to provide commentary on the case.
Shelby County’s argument – “that race is a relic of the past and that Congress has overreached its power to manage the electoral process” – is false, says Ellis.

You can read Professor Ellis’ article here.

-WVU-