Congresswoman McKinney Calls For Permanent Extension of the Voting Rights Act and Asks Trent Lott and the Republicans, as well as Democrats, to Support Her Call
"I take Trent Lott and the Republicans at their word. They should not only extend the Voting Rights Act; they should strengthen it, too." Dec 13, 2002 - Today, Congresswoman McKinney said that merely apologizing for segregationist remarks is not enough for Republicans or Democrats to do. But rather, these expressions of regret should result in sound public policy that increases the quality of life of all Americans. Toward that end, she calls for Trent Lott and the majority-Republican Congress, as well as the Democrats, to support a permanent extension of all of the provisions of the Voting Rights Act and to reaffirm its 1982 amendments. "In 2007, important sections of The Voting Rights Act expire," McKinney said. "We should not wait until 2007 to address this important issue. I suggest that we learn from the unfortunate remarks of Senate Leader Trent Lott and do something constructive: permanently extend and strengthen The Voting Rights Act," McKinney added. "Only jurisdictions that want to backslide on voting rights need fear an extension," McKinney concluded. Section Five of the Voting Rights Act, which includes its preclearance provisions, will expire in 2007. In addition, defendants are increasingly trying to avoid compliance with the 1982 amendments that require only a results test of discrimination for successful litigation under Section Two of the Voting Rights Act. Successful litigation under Section Two should focus only on objective census and election data without reliance on intentions. Section Five of the Voting Rights Act should be indefinitely extended and Section Two should be reaffirmed by the Congress. Even today, the United States Justice Department continues to deny election changes submitted by covered jurisdictions. In the State of Georgia, the 2002 State Senate redistricting plan was objected to on the basis that three metropolitan areas of Georgia (Savannah, Albany, and Macon) experienced minority vote dilution. The Department of Justice, on its website, lists its current Section Five objections. As long as the Department of Justice and the Federal District Court object to election plans presented by covered jurisdictions, a continued need is demonstrated for enforcement of all sections of the Voting Rights Act, including Section Five. - 30 -
