(From apgov.org blog, a great lesson from Mr. John U-F, that we will assign answers posted on the blog here in the comment section by 1/13 at midnight....it will be the last grade of the first semester)
Note: If the videos don't post on my blog, access videos on the apgov.org blog linked on the right margin.
We won't have time in class to cover this very important law.
Here's a mini lesson to help you learn about the VRA
(it is regularly featured on the AP Exam).
If any of the images are too small, click to embiggen.
1. Watch this video for background about the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
2. Read this .pdf about what the Act said.
How does this map relate to the VRA?
3. Examine this graph. How effective was the VRA?
4. What effect did the VRA have on the number of black legislators who were elected in the South?
The Senate now has its first black southern Senator since Reconstruction.
Senator Tim Scott was chosen in 2012 to replace Jim DeMint
by Gov. Nikki Haley of South Carolina.
5. The Voting Rights Act was reauthorized in 1970, 1965, 1982 and 2006. In each instance, Congress looked at evidence that showed that African Americans’ voting rights were still in danger in the states identified in the original 1965 law.
In 2009, the Voting Rights Act faced a challenge in the Supreme Court.
6. On what grounds was the VRA challenged? Why did the Supreme Court uphold the law? With what reservations? Do you think any of the reasons for challenging the law are legitimate?
13 comments:
I tried the links to the videos and it says that the video is no longer avaliable
The icue video links are working. Videos are just not embedded. So they should work, there are three of them.
2. The map relates to the VRA because it shows the places in which the law had outlined as needing special attention due to previous measures limiting voting (specifically states with <50% of the voting age population voting and those with tests or devices to inhibit voting).
3. For most states, the VRA was extremely effective especially in its early imposition. It was less successful in Florida, North Carolina, and Tennessee, but still caused some change. However, now it seems as though other factors have caused voting to drop or not continue to rise.
4. The VRA definitely had an initial effect of at least getting SOME black legislators into office. At first, there still weren't too many. Over time, though, it allowed the number of black legislators to go up almost to the point where it was during Reconstruction.
6.The VRA was challenged due to the fact that the states and portions of some states (with a historical record of discriminatory voting policies) had to report any changes in local voter law to the federal government. Basically the issue was with the question whether the federal government had enough power to do this even if the state or area showed no recent history of trying to evade fairness in voting and could a section of a state get out of having to be examined by the federal government. While the Supreme Court didn't directly answer the first issue, it ruled that a certain area could get out of the burdensome process. I could definitely see some issues with the law, especially given that the federal government is stepping into state business with voting laws/restrictions when it seems a little unnecessary. There is definitely a question of constitutionality.
2) The map shows the areas in which Section 5 was or was not covered.
3) The VRA lead to an increase of black registered voters proving its effectiveness.
4) More black legislators were elected in the South after the VRA.
6) The VRA was challenged because it is intrusive to local elections and many argue that we are pass the point of having laws in effect that combat racism. Congress meant for the law to be temporary at first.
2.) The map relates to the Voting Rights Act because it is highlighting the states that are not being covered by Section 5, thereby needing special attention to be given to them.
3.) As illustrated we see that upon the introduction of the VRA an increase in the amount of African-Americans voting. One noticeable discrepancy can be found in Florida’s voting statistics which shows a hardly noticeable difference from 1971 to 2008. But all in all, the VRA was extremely beneficial in securing the suffrage rights for African Americans.
4.) The VRA did play a factor in reestablishing African Americans into our government. The number of black legislator has been steadily increasing since the Act’s introduction.
6.) The issue that the SCOTUS was addressing was whether or not it was fair to continue the process of requiring some states (that had practiced voting discrimination) to alert the federal government of any changes or revisions to their methods in local voters law. Upon hearing that Judge Thomas had been one of the only ones to not have declared the VRA to be completely unconstitutional, I could see why there might be a bit of hesitation towards allowing these previously discriminatory states.
2. The map illustrates the areas that the Act itself calls out as using unfair voting methods (literacy tests, etc).
3. The VRA wasn't initially equally successful. For instance, Alabama, Mississippi, and South Carolina had a very small percentage of registered black voters in the black voting-age population in 1960. However,by 2008, most states had at least a 60 percent of registered voters in the black voting-age population.
4. The establishment of the VRA increased the number of black legislators; only a few in the first 4 years following its enactment, but a rapidly increasing amount afterwards.
6. The primary issue is, is it fair to punish previously discriminatory states (in regards to voting procedures), by having them consistently inform the fed government of all alterations made to their voting procedures. The Supreme Court most likely upheld the law to ensure that certain states do not shift back into discriminatory voting procedures. I do see many issues with this, as it gives the fed government far too much control, if the state governments have to always answer to it.
2. The map shows the area where Section 5 was or was not covered (where it needs improvement to say the least).
3. The VRA was successful in increasing African-American participation in elections. While these successes were less noticable in states such as Florida and Tennessee, they were still effective to a certain extent.
4. While at first there weren't many black legislators into office, they VRA helped to increase the number of black legislators in office.
6. The VRA was challenged because it was invasive to local elections and the issue was also whether the federal government had power to make states report changes in local voter law. The Supreme Court probably upheld this law to prevent states from going back to discriminatory ways. I think a major issue with this is whether the federal government is overstepping their boundaries.
2. The map relates because it shows places where the law got attention.
3. The VRA worked for the most part in its early stages. Overall the VRA did work but it was less successful in states such as North Carolina and Florida.
4. VRA had a effect of allowing a few african american legislators.
6. The VRA was challenged on many cases because it became contradictory to local elections. Many people combated it in states that had previous precedents for racial restrictions on voting. Overall there was a legitimate reason for questioning the constitutionality of this law.
2. I think that the map shows which states/counties had less than 50% voter turnout for those of age or that had a test/device in function before the VRA that need to seek "Preclearance" under Section 5 of the VRA before they can enact any changes to their voting methods. Their proposed changes would have to be approved by a court and deemed that they do not disadvantage anybody based off of color.
3. I certainly think that the VRA was overall extremely successful-- in some states more than others certainly, but I think that any improvement is welcome. People that do not register to vote (whether in 1971 or 2008) may not choose/be able to do so just because of cultural or socio-political reasons, not necessarily direct compromises to their constitutional ability to vote.
4. I think that the effects of the VRA on black legislator election is immediate and drastic-- although it probably took time for the act to get established and for people to get comfortable enough with the new system that they wouldn't resist it/be hesitant to vote anymore, obviously more and more legislators are getting voted in especially in modern times.
6. The VRA was challenged because with record minority voter turnout, and black presidents and legislators frequently in office, some weren't sure if the burden that the VRA places on government (in its requirement to review proposed voting changes in part or all of some states) was worth it when regarding a Southern culture that may not even require that special review. The supreme court most likely upheld the VRA anyway to just maintain the idea that discriminatory practices will not be tolerated and that some states might need to still be reviewed, although their justifications for these ideas are slipping, because as Roberts said, the law might have originally intended to be temporary. However, they did give some states the ability to "bail out" of these Section 5 "Preclearances" if they had proper evidence that discriminatory practices are no longer a problem.
I do think that the challenges to the VRA are legitimate. Discrimination in many counties today is no longer a problem, or at least to the degree to physically restrict one's right to vote. Given current times and issues, I don't think the VRA will continue to be upheld forever, nor do I think it should be. However, I do approve with the Supreme Court's decision, I do not think now is quite the time or circumstances to discontinue the VRA.
2. The Map and the VRA are related because it shows the states where section 5 was or was not covered.
3. The VRA was successful in the large majority of states- even if the improvement was minor.
4. The number of Black legislators has increased with the imposition of the VRA, however this increase could also be the result of other social changes throughout time.
6. Issues mainly arose do the fact that no state wants to give up power to the federal government, which this recquired because they had to report changes as they arose.
2. The map shows the areas that the act calls unfair voting methods. It is also highlights the states that are not being covered by section 5.
3. It was successful in increasing in African American turnouts in the voting booths. In some places, it wasn’t prominent immediately, but voters certainly felt the effect of the increase.
4. In addition to African American voter turnout, the rate of African American legislators also increased.
6. Challenges arose because states don’t want to give up their power to the government and they had to report it because they became too much.
This is the right one!
Parker N.
2. The map shows areas that need special attention and were not covered by section 5
3. The VRA increased the amount of voting african americans almost everywhere, with florida as the notable exception
4. Since the act was introduced, the number of black legislators has steadily been increasing.
6. The bottom line was whether or not the federal government could could require certain states and not others to report any changes in voting practices.
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