The ruling, which is almost certain to be appealed to the Supreme Court, would effectively bar private citizens and civil rights groups from suing under a key provision of the landmark law.
The decision by the court of appeals on Monday found that the text of the Voting Rights Act did not explicitly contain language for “a private right of action,” or the right of private citizens to file lawsuits under the law. Therefore, the court found, the right to sue would effectively lie with the government alone.
“Only the government can sue the government” is exactly the sort of anti-voting rights stance the Republicans are pushing these days.
“Only the government can sue the government” is exactly the sort of anti-voting rights stance the Republicans are pushing these days.