Changes made to the Voting Rights Act of 1965 - KNOE 8 News; KNOE-TV; |

Changes made to the Voting Rights Act of 1965

Posted: Updated: June 26, 2013 06:39 PM

MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 NEWS) The Supreme Court has ruled that parts of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 are no longer valid. This means states no longer need federal approval when changes are made in election procedures.

Charles Kincade is a member of the ACLU and he doesn't like the Supreme Court's decision because he says racism still exist Louisiana.

"Historical discrimination including slavery, including Jim Crow, I'm not sure that has been eliminated from our society. Frankly, I don't think it has and so I am disappointed with the decision," said Charles Kincade.

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 insured minorities were not discriminated against by abolishing literacy test and other prerequisites that discriminated against minorities. Kincade says eliminating the federal government could open the door for inequality.

"The main concern is that groups of Americans not be disenfranchised, specifically African American voters and African American's not have their voting strength diluted and be gerrymandered in such a way that their vote doesn't count equally as all others," said Kincade.

Louisiana's Secretary of State says progress has been made and a lot of changes have occurred since 1965.

"The evidence would show that black participation or minority participation is all time highs and is on equal footing as whites," said Tom Schedler.

Schedler says voter turnout will not change and no discrimination will take place in Louisiana.

"We're not doing anything different. We're not changing any laws so we are going to do things exactly like we have been doing for the last fifty years," said Schedler.

Kincade says he'll be watching closely to make sure everyone gets treated fairly in the election process or this defense attorney will get to work.

Republicans in Mississippi and other states have already pledged to pass laws requiring voters to have photo identification, in addition to change voting hours and commission districts. Those are all moves that would have required federal approval before Wednesday's ruling.

Powered by WorldNow