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The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that southern states must obtain federal approval before making any changes in their election laws that might affect the rights of Black voters as provided by the 1965 Voting Rights Act.
1971 (Jan 14)
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that southern states must obtain federal approval before making any changes in their election laws that might affect the rights of Black voters as provided by the 1965 Voting Rights Act. The order came in a case brought by two Black voters and six defeated Black candidates in the 1969 municipal elections in Canton, Mississippi. The plaintiffs contended that the city, in shifting polling places, annexing neighborhoods with white majorities, and changing to at-large elections of aldermen, had discouraged and diluted the Black vote. The Supreme Court returned the case to the district court to decide if the election should be re-held.
References:
- • Hornsby, Alton. Chronology of African-American History: Significant Events and People from 1619 to the Present. Detroit: Gale Research, 1995.