Policy Resolution LJE-19-32

WHEREAS, the controversial ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court in the Shelby vs. Holder case struck down Section 4(b) of the 1963 Voting Rights Act;

WHEREAS, the 1963 Voting Rights Act, known as the crown jewel of the civil rights movement, had an immediate impact of eliminating egregious voting discrimination, enfranchising millions of African American Voters and changing the political landscape of America;

WHEREAS, Section 5 of the Act invokes a pre-clearance requirement that prohibits jurisdictions that have demonstrated consistent and pervasive prior acts of racially motivated voter discrimination from implementing voting law changes without obtaining pre-clearance from the U.S. Justice Department;

WHEREAS, Section 4(b) includes the formula that determines what jurisdictions shall be covered by the pre-clearance requirement of Section 5; and

WHEREAS, in order to preserve the vital voting rights protections gained through the courageous actions and great sacrifices of Dr. Martin Luther King, Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and many other committed notable civil rights workers, leaders and organizations, it is imperative that we call upon Congress to reauthorize and restore all pertinent and essential aspects of the Voting Rights Act.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) advocates for the restoration of these critical components of Voting Rights Act;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NBCSL urges that these restorations be made to the extent that they fully eliminate voter discrimination and guarantees and protects the voting rights of all Americans, regardless of race, creed or color; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the NBCSL send a copy of this resolution to the President of the United States, the Vice President of the United States, members of Congress, and other federal and state government officials as appropriate.

• SPONSOR: Representative Randal L. Gaines (LA)
• Committee of Jurisdiction: Law, Justice, and Ethics Policy Committee
• Certified by Committee Chair: Representative Reginald Meeks (KY)
• Ratified in Plenary Session: Ratification Date is November 30, 2018
• Ratification is certified by: Representative Gregory W. Porter (IN), President