Shelby County v. Holder Eliminates VRA Preclearance, Weakens Redistricting Oversight

The Supreme Court struck down Section 4(b) of the Voting Rights Act in a 5-4 decision authored by Chief Justice John Roberts, rendering Section 5 preclearance unenforceable. Section 5 had required states with a history of voter discrimination to obtain federal approval before changing voting laws or redistricting maps. The ruling freed nine states, primarily in the South, from the preclearance requirement. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg dissented, warning the decision was like throwing away an umbrella in a rainstorm because you are not getting wet.