Examine the key landmark decisions framing Voting Rights today.  Cases discussed include Shelby v Holder (2013) which struck down the pre-clearance requirements in the 1965 Voting Rights Act. This means the federal government is barred from determining which voting jurisdictions require oversight in passing electoral laws.  Abbot v Perez (2018) struck another blow to the VRA holding that lawmakers enjoy a high presumption of “racial innocence” making it nearly impossible to prove invidious intent to discriminate on the basis of race. Rucho v Common Cause (2019) prohibited federal courts from intervening in gerrymandering disputes, violating separation of powers. Other important decisions will be discussed as well.

Class will have the opportunity to join the instructor in viewing the Smithsonian Institution’s Museum on Main Street traveling exhibition “Voices and Votes: Democracy in America” at the Monmouth Museum on Brookdale’s Lincroft campus after the September 14th class.

Wed, Sept 14 – 28, 10am – noon

Museum visit following Sept 14th Class

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