Shelby County v. Holder

Definition

Shelby County v. Holder is a landmark Supreme Court case decided in 2013, which ruled that key parts of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 were unconstitutional, specifically the formula used to determine which jurisdictions needed federal approval before changing voting laws or practices. This decision significantly impacted the enforcement of voting rights protections in the United States.

Related terms

Voting Rights Act of 1965:

A landmark piece of federal legislation in the United States that prohibits racial discrimination in voting.

Preclearance: A provision under the Voting Rights Act requiring certain states and local governments to obtain federal approval before implementing any changes to their voting laws or practices.

Voter Suppression:

Actions or policies designed to restrict or deter specific groups of people from voting, often disproportionately affecting minorities