Supreme Court’s Latest Ruling Further Guts Voting Rights Act of 1965
Ask students: Who declared Arizona’s new voting rules constitutional? Why did the opponents of Arizona’s new voting laws sue to have them thrown out?
July 2, 2021
Ask students: Who declared Arizona’s new voting rules constitutional? Why did the opponents of Arizona’s new voting laws sue to have them thrown out?
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Arizona Law Upheld
On the final day of its term, the Supreme Court issued major decisions that put the Court’s 6-3 conservative majority in the spotlight, upholding two Arizona voting laws that restrict how ballots can be cast. Opponents state the latest rulings will make it harder for people of color, many of whom vote Democratic, to vote and challenge future state laws they say violate the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Many Republican proponents argue the stricter rules are needed to ensure the integrity of elections, maintaining President Donald Trump lost in 2020 because of massive voter fraud. No such evidence has been produced. Read the summary, watch the video and answer the discussion questions below. Please note this video has been edited to be shorter for this Daily News Lesson. To view the full video and read the transcript, click here.
Key Terms
Focus Question:How do you think this Supreme Court decision will affect voting rights across the country, not just Arizona? What are some ways other states might change voting laws?
Media Literacy: This segment consists of a sit-down interview with two experts in the NewsHour studios. In your opinion, what are the strength and weaknesses of this type of format?
Republished with permission from PBS NewsHour Extra.