The Return of Jim Crow

Today, the U.S. Supreme Court, in Shelby County v. Holder, overturned a key provision of the Voting Rights Act, the landmark civil rights law.

Under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act, states and localities with a history of discrimination (in green on the map at right) must seek pre-approval of changes in voting rules that could affect minorities.

The Supreme Court has now voided Section 5,