High court could hear voting act challenge

The Clarion-Ledger, 6/10/8

The Supreme Court could decide whether Mississippi must keep asking the Justice Department for permission to make any changes in how it conducts elections.

At issue is a provision of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, known as Section 5, that all or part of Arizona, Alaska, Mississippi and other states in the South and elsewhere submit proposed election changes to the Justice Department for advance clearance.

The requirement applies to states, cities, towns and counties that in the past disenfranchised minority voters through poll taxes, literacy tests, intimidation or other more subtle methods.