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Full-Text Articles in Law
Reinventing Sovereignty?: Federalsim As A Constraint On The Voting Rights Act, Franita Tolson
Reinventing Sovereignty?: Federalsim As A Constraint On The Voting Rights Act, Franita Tolson
Vanderbilt Law Review
The legal landscape has changed significantly since Congress passed the Voting Rights Act of 1965 ("VRA" or "the Act"). Even though Congress amended the Act in 2006, these amendments have done little to address the new obstacles faced by minority communities who seek to expand their electoral opportunities.' Some of these obstacles are political, as partisan forces have often manipulated the Act for electoral gain, but the greatest obstructions have been judicial. The Supreme Court has strongly implied that Congress might violate principles of federalism by requiring states to preclear their redistricting plans with the Department of Justice; has held …
Invisible Federalism And The Electoral College, Derek Muller
Invisible Federalism And The Electoral College, Derek Muller
Derek T. Muller
What role do States have when the Electoral College disappears? With the enactment of the National Popular Vote on the horizon and an imminent presidential election in which a nationwide popular vote determines the winner, States would continue to do what they have done for hundreds of years — administer elections. The Constitution empowers States to decide who votes for president, and States choose who qualifies to vote based on factors like age or felon status. This power of States, a kind of “invisible federalism,” is all but ignored in Electoral College reform efforts. In fact, the power of the …