Covered jurisdictions

Definition

Covered jurisdictions refer to specific areas in the United States that were subject to additional federal oversight under the Voting Rights Act of 1965 due to historical discrimination against voters based on race or color. These jurisdictions were required to receive federal approval before making changes to voting laws or practices, ensuring protections against discriminatory practices that could disenfranchise minority voters.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Covered jurisdictions originally included several Southern states and localities with a history of discriminatory voting practices.
2. The criteria for determining covered jurisdictions were based on historical voter registration and turnout data, particularly focusing on areas with discriminatory practices prior to 1965.
3. The Supreme Court's ruling in Shelby County v. Holder (2013) invalidated the formula used to determine covered jurisdictions, effectively nullifying preclearance requirements for those areas.
4. Covered jurisdictions were often required to demonstrate that any proposed changes would not have a discriminatory effect on minority voters.
5. The designation of covered jurisdictions played a critical role in protecting the voting rights of minority populations by ensuring federal oversight in places with a history of racial discrimination.

Review Questions

• How did the designation of covered jurisdictions impact voting rights and protections for minority voters?
  • The designation of covered jurisdictions had a significant impact on voting rights as it placed additional federal oversight on areas known for historical discrimination. This meant that any changes to voting laws or procedures had to be approved by federal authorities, reducing the likelihood of discriminatory practices being implemented. This mechanism was crucial in protecting minority voters' rights and ensuring their access to the electoral process.
• Discuss the implications of the Shelby County v. Holder decision on the status and enforcement of covered jurisdictions.
  • The Shelby County v. Holder decision had major implications for covered jurisdictions as it struck down the formula used to identify these areas, effectively eliminating the preclearance requirement. As a result, many states and localities regained the ability to change their voting laws without federal oversight. This led to concerns about potential voter suppression tactics being enacted in jurisdictions that had previously been monitored for discriminatory practices, raising alarms about the erosion of voting rights protections.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the Voting Rights Act's provisions related to covered jurisdictions in addressing racial discrimination in voting over time.
  • Over time, the provisions related to covered jurisdictions in the Voting Rights Act proved effective in significantly reducing racial discrimination in voting practices during the latter half of the 20th century. By requiring federal oversight and preclearance, these provisions helped dismantle many discriminatory laws that disenfranchised minority voters. However, recent judicial decisions like Shelby County v. Holder have raised questions about their continued effectiveness, as many previously protected jurisdictions can now implement changes without federal scrutiny, potentially allowing discriminatory practices to resurface.

Related terms

Voting Rights Act of 1965:

A landmark piece of federal legislation aimed at eliminating various forms of voting discrimination, particularly against African Americans in the South.

Preclearance: The process by which covered jurisdictions must obtain federal approval for any changes to voting laws or procedures, aimed at preventing discriminatory practices.

Section 5:

A provision of the Voting Rights Act that specifically addresses the requirement for preclearance in covered jurisdictions.