SCDP Chair: Voting Rights Act Provision Still Necessary in South Carolina

South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Carol Fowler released the following statement in response to the Northwest Austin Municipal Utility District No. 1 v. Holder, 08-322 case being argued today before the U. S. Supreme Court. The case challenges the coverage and constitutionality of the Voting Rights Act's provision requiring federal review of new voting procedures in states with a history of discrimination in voting.

"I think that it is critical for the Supreme Court to uphold Congress' decision to renew this provision in the Voting Rights Act. Recent voting legislation introduced by Republican lawmakers in the South Carolina General Assembly shows us that this provision is still necessary in 2009. South Carolina voters need protection from the type of discrimination Republicans are trying to reinstate in South Carolina with the removal of in-person absentee voting and the implementation of state-issued ID requirements for voters," said Fowler.