La elected officials take sides on Voting Rights arguments
Advocate Washington bureau  WASHINGTON -- Louisiana could soon
come out of the oversight of the federal government on voting
procedures, depending on how the U.S. Supreme Court rules on a
case heard Wednesday.  The Supreme Court case involves Shelby
County, Ala., challenging the requirement of nine mostly
Southern states, including Louisiana, to acquire federal
approval for any changes to voting procedures.  The issue
pertains to Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that was
created in the aftermath of racial discrimination and voter
suppression efforts that occurred in Louisiana and other states.
Louisiana Secretary of State Tom Schedler, who is a Republican,
said he hopes the provision is repealed or at least "strongly
relaxed."  But those who disagreed with Shelby County argued
that the Section 5 provision is ensuring voting moves forward
properly in a world with reduced, but still existing,
discrimination.  Discrimination is "strongly on