Arkansas Archives | American Democracy Minute

Federal Appeals Court Denies Rehearing of Radical Arkansas Voting Rights Act Ruling Shutting Out Voters & Democracy Groups from Bringing Cases

January 31, 2024January 31, 2024

In Nov. 2023, an 8th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals upheld a lower court’s radical ruling that Arkansas voters did not have the right to sue under the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Despite being widely panned as a fringe ruling, the 8th Circuit refused to re-hear the case January 30th.

Encouraging New Decisions for North Dakota and Louisiana Push Back on the U.S. Eighth Circuit’s “No Right of Private Action” Voting Rights Act Ruling

December 17, 2023December 17, 2023

Last week we reported on the aftershocks of an Arkansas racial gerrymandering case, where the U.S. Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals decided voters and groups had “No private right of action” under the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Two rulings issued Friday, December 15th pushed back on that radical decision.

Ripple Effects After Radical Federal 8th Circuit Court of Appeals Ruling Restricting Who Can Bring Voting Rights Act Suits; Red State AGs Pile On

December 14, 2023December 17, 2023

We reported in November on the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals decision restricting lawsuits based on the 1965 Voting Rights Act to be filed ONLY by the U.S. Attorney General, seen by most court watchers as radical and ignoring precedent. But it’s already having ripple effects across the nation.

Radical Federal Court of Appeals Ruling Deals Another Blow to Voters, Democracy Groups and the Voting Rights Act

November 21, 2023November 21, 2023

A Nov. 20th federal appeals court decision ruled that only the U.S. Attorney General can bring a voting rights lawsuit under the Voting Rights Act. The decision, a radical departure from settled law, erects barriers to minority voters seeking fairness in federal court.

Manipulated Voting District Maps May Also Fall in Arkansas & Louisiana After Surprise SCOTUS Decision in Alabama Racial Gerrymandering Case

June 14, 2023June 14, 2023

We reported Monday on the U.S. Supreme Court’s surprise 5-4 decision, upholding Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act and throwing out Alabama’s racially gerrymandered Congressional voting district maps. More maps could fall.