With the Supreme Court reviewing part of the Voting Rights Act Florida lawmakers are worried the court may overturn legislation that has broad support in Congress.
Under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act five counties in Florida have to get any changes to their voting practices approved by the federal government because they’re accused of discriminating against minorities in the past. Those counties are Monroe, Collier, Hendry, Hardee and Hillsborough. Florida didn’t file a brief in the case brought by Alabama officials, but it could still be impacted if the court overturns the law. South Florida Democrat Frederica Wilson worries about the outcome. “It would set us back 100 years in voting rights. So many people died to get those rights.”
Wilson argues even more counties in Florida should have to get preclearance from the Justice Department before they change voting rules.
“I don’t trust the county supervisors in Florida.”
It’s not just Democrats. Florida Republican Mario Diaz Balart helped reauthorize the legislation the last time it came before Congress. He says he’d oppose any attempt by the Supreme Court to overturn the law.
“Very much so. This is just a few years ago when Congress in a rather overwhelming vote voted to extend it and I think that’s where that issue should be.”
Now it’s a waiting game. The arguments have been heard and justices will release their ruling in the coming months.