The New Voter Suppression: Why the Voting Rights Act Still Matters (Note)

This Note will analyze the purpose and history of the VRA. It will analyze Congress' authority to enact legislation in the area of voting rights. Furthermore, this Note discusses the Court's decision in NAMUDO and Chief Justice Roberts' and Justice Thomas' contention that Section 5 was rendered obsolete by the lack of recent laws aimed at voter suppression. Additionally, this Note will discuss the various changes in voting procedures enacted between 2011 and 2012 while analyzing the effect changes may have on minority voter participation. The Note will further examine Chief Justice Roberts' and Justice Thomas' arguments that voter suppression does not occur in modern day America. This Note will dispute that premise. Rather, evidence demonstrates that continued enforcement of Section 5 is necessary to prohibit states from denying minority citizens the ability to access the ballot box