Politics
House approves renewal of Voting Rights Act


The House voted 390-33 on Thursday to renew the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Conservative Republicans tried to amend to the bill to limit provisions of the Voting Rights Act that have been helpful to Indian voters. They tried to eliminate federal pre-clearance of voting plans in states like South Dakota and Arizona, where discrimination against Indian voters has been an issue, and they tried to remove a requirement to print ballots in Native languages.

All of the amendments proposed by the GOP lawmaker were voted down. A handful of them voted against the bill when it came up for final passage.

Get the Story:
Voting Rights Act Extensions Pass House Despite GOP Infighting (The Washington Post 7/14)
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After Challenges, House Approves Renewal of Voting Act (The New York Times 7/14)
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Voting Rights Legislation:
Voting Rights Reauthorization (H.R.9)

Civil Rights Report:
Voting Rights in South Dakota, 1982-2006 (May 17, 2006)

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