COLUMBIANA, Ala. (AP) - The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments Feb. 27 in efforts by an Alabama county to stop enforcement of part of the 1965 Voting Rights Act.
The court initially agreed in November to hear the case brought by Shelby County, and it has now set the date for attorneys to present their arguments.
The Voting Rights Act requires the Justice Department to review and approve changes in elections laws in Alabama and several others states to make sure they don't discriminate against minorities. Shelby County lawyer Butch Ellis told al.com (http://bit.ly/XgRKqp ) that that's outdated because predominantly white Shelby County has elected black officials.
The NAACP Legal Defense Fund says the Voting Rights Act needs to stay intact because it is a safeguard from racial discrimination.
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Information from: The Birmingham News, http://www.al.com/birminghamnews
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2/3/2013 8:59:21 AM (GMT -6:00)
