June 2013

The Supreme Court's 5-4 decision in Shelby County v. Holder struck down Section 4(b) of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 — the formula used to determine which jurisdictions required federal preclearance before changing voting laws. Chief Justice Roberts wrote that the formula was based on 'decades-old data.' Within 24 hours, Texas announced it would implement a previously-blocked voter ID law and a redistricting plan. Within two months, nine of the thirteen formerly-covered states had introduced new voting restrictions. North Carolina passed the nation's most sweeping post-Shelby voting law, later struck down by a federal court as targeting African Americans 'with almost surgical precision.'

In Shelby County v. Holder, the Supreme Court struck down Section 4(b) of the Voting Rights Act by a 5-4 vote, invalidating the coverage formula that determined which jurisdictions required federal preclearance before changing voting laws. Chief Justice Roberts wrote the majority opinion. Within hours, Texas, North Carolina, and other states moved to implement voter ID laws and other restrictions.

The Supreme Court strikes down the VRA's preclearance formula, unleashing a wave of voting restrictions.