From NAPABA: Sign the petition urging Congress to pass the Voting Rights Amendment Act!

Over a year ago, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a critical element of the Voting Rights Act, the coverage formula. The coverage formula required jurisdictions with histories and ongoing practices of discrimination in voting practices and laws to “preclear” their voting changes with the U.S. Department of Justice or the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Voting changes were analyzed to see if they were influenced by a discriminatory purpose or would harm minority voters in their jurisdictions.

The Voting Rights Amendment Act (VRAA) will modernize the coverage formula of the Voting Rights Act to tie it to recent patterns of voter discrimination. Congress needs to pass this law to ensure that all voters, including members of the Asian Pacific American community, are able to exercise their fundamental right to vote.  Click here to read NAPABA’s Statement Opposing Voter Suppression Efforts.

Since the VRAA (HR 3899/S 1945) was introduced this January, the Senate has held one hearing on the bill, and the House has failed to act. We need your help! Tell your members of Congress to pass the Voting Rights Amendment act now by clicking here to sign this petition.

The Voting Rights Act of 1965: Where Do We Go From Here?

Rutgers-Newark Law Review is holding an upcoming Symposium – “The Voting Rights Act of 1965: Where Do We Go From Here?”, to be held on Friday, April 13, 2012, from 9:15AM to 5:00PM at the State House on 125 West State Street in Trenton, New Jersey.
 
This symposium will examine the effects of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 nearly fifty years after its passage. Distinguished speakers will discuss whether the Act has fulfilled its charter and should now be repealed or whether it is still required today.

For those seeking CLE credits, six CLE credits are being offered for the NY and NJ Bars and five for the PA Bar.  Attendance is free for everyone – including those who are seeking CLE credits.

REGISTER HERE  For more information contact Eric Ng, Vice President of the Rutgers-Newark APALSA.