Current:Home > StocksFederal appeals court deals blow to Voting Rights Act, ruling that private plaintiffs can’t sue -Legacy Profit Partners
Federal appeals court deals blow to Voting Rights Act, ruling that private plaintiffs can’t sue
View
Date:2025-04-26 08:49:27
WASHINGTON (AP) — A divided federal appeals court on Monday ruled that private individuals and groups such as the NAACP do not have the ability to sue under a key section of the federal Voting Rights Act, a decision voting rights advocates say could further erode protections under the landmark 1965 law.
The 2-1 decision by a panel of the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals based in St. Louis found that only the U.S. attorney general can enforce Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which prohibits discriminatory voting practices such as racially gerrymandered districts.
The majority said other federal laws, including the 1964 Civil Rights Act, make it clear when private groups can sue said but similar wording is not found in the voting law.
“When those details are missing, it is not our place to fill in the gaps, except when ‘text and structure’ require it,” U.S. Circuit Judge David R. Stras wrote for the majority in an opinion joined by Judge Raymond W. Gruender. Stras was nominated by former President Donald Trump and Gruender by former President George W. Bush.
The decision affirmed a lower judge’s decision to dismiss a case brought by the Arkansas State Conference NAACP and the Arkansas Public Policy Panel after giving U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland five days to join the lawsuit. Neither organization immediately returned messages seeking comment Monday.
Chief Judge Lavenski R. Smith noted in a dissenting opinion that federal courts across the country and the U.S. Supreme Court have considered numerous cases brought by private plaintiffs under Section 2. Smith said the court should follow “existing precedent that permits a judicial remedy” unless the Supreme Court or Congress decides differently.
“Rights so foundational to self-government and citizenship should not depend solely on the discretion or availability of the government’s agents for protection,” wrote Smith, another appointee of George W. Bush.
The ruling applies only to federal courts covered by the 8th Circuit, which includes Arkansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota. Meanwhile, several pending lawsuits by private groups challenge various political maps drawn by legislators across the country.
A representative for the Justice Department declined to comment.
___
Cassidy reported from Atlanta. Associated Press writer Mark Sherman in Washington contributed to this report.
___
The Associated Press coverage of race and voting receives support from the Jonathan Logan Family Foundation. See more about AP’s democracy initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
veryGood! (57)
Related
- Are Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp down? Meta says most issues resolved after outages
- Jack Black ends Tenacious D tour after bandmate’s Trump shooting comment
- Horoscopes Today, July 16, 2024
- Innovatech Investment Education Foundation: Empowering Investors through Advanced Education and Technology
- Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
- Shop Amazon Prime Day’s Deepest, Jaw-Dropping Discounts -- Beauty, Fashion, Tech & More up to 84% Off
- Patriots receiver won’t face prosecution over online gambling while at LSU
- Innovatech Investment Education Foundation: The value of IRA retirement savings
- McConnell absent from Senate on Thursday as he recovers from fall in Capitol
- MLB All-Star Game: Rookie pitchers to start Midseason classic
Ranking
- EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
- This Amika Hair Mask is So Good My Brother Steals It from Me, & It's on Sale for 34% Off on Amazon
- Sniper took picture of Trump rally shooter, saw him use rangefinder before assassination attempt, source says
- Quantum Prosperity Consortium Investment Education Foundation: In-depth guide to the 403(b) plan
- South Korea's acting president moves to reassure allies, calm markets after Yoon impeachment
- Quantum Prosperity Consortium Investment Education Foundation: In-depth guide to the 403(b) plan
- Ingrid Andress says she was 'drunk' during national anthem performance, will check into rehab
- 'Dance Moms' star Christi Lukasiak arrested on DUI charge, refused blood test
Recommendation
At site of suspected mass killings, Syrians recall horrors, hope for answers
Summit Wealth Investment Education Foundation: Empowering Investors Worldwide
Former mayor known for guaranteed income programs launches bid for California lieutenant governor
Judge temporarily halts state plan to monitor groundwater use in crop-rich California region
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow owns a $3 million Batmobile Tumbler
Judge temporarily halts state plan to monitor groundwater use in crop-rich California region
Self-exiled Chinese billionaire Guo Wengui convicted of defrauding followers after fleeing to US
Caitlin Clark at the Brickyard: NASCAR driver Josh Berry to feature WNBA star on his car