John: An update from the federal 8th Circuit on one of the most dangerous anti-voter rulings we’ve seen in years.
A federal appeals court this week cut off a key avenue for private groups and individuals to bring racial discrimination claims under the Voting Rights Act (VRA). The ruling, which applies in seven states, further weakens the ability of our civil rights law to protect voters, and could lead to the Supreme Court settling the issue.
This goes back to an initial ruling from 2023, the impact of which is pretty simple to understand: That voters and voting rights organizations can no longer sue to overturn unjust laws under the Voting Rights Act. According to the 8th Circuit, and now confirmed on appeal, only the Department of Justice (DoJ) has the legal standing to sue states over voting laws.
With former Florida AG Pam Bondi -- a "big lie" spreading MAGA acolyte -- serving as Attorney General, it's clear that the DOJ is not going to protect voting rights over the next four years.
John, we have to fight this ruling and make sure voters and advocacy groups have the right to defend voting rights in court. Please pitch in $25 or whatever you can to make every vote count, either at the ballot box or in court >>