Case Law Index
federal2013
Additional Highlights:Voting RightsEqual ProtectionCongress
Shelby County v. Holder
United States Supreme Court
Key Holding
The coverage formula in Section 4(b) of the Voting Rights Act is unconstitutional because it relies on outdated data that does not reflect current conditions.
Case Summary
Shelby County v. Holder struck down the coverage formula of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which required certain jurisdictions with histories of voting discrimination to obtain federal preclearance before changing voting laws, effectively gutting the preclearance requirement.