Voting rights case at high court Wednesday

[IDemo]

By MARK SHERMAN – 5 hours ago

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress' decision to extend a key provision of the Voting Rights Act for 25 years is at the core of a case being argued before the Supreme Court.

The justices are hearing the final arguments of their term Wednesday in a dispute from Texas. At issue is a requirement that all or parts of 16 states with a history of discrimination in voting get approval from the Justice Department before they implement even the smallest changes in the way elections are held.

The court also is expected to issue opinions in cases argued earlier in the term.

The voting rights law, enacted in 1965, has helped open government elections to millions of blacks and other minorities. Its main enforcement measure is a temporary one that calls for the federal government to sign off before election changes.

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