"Federal Court Ruling Undermines Voting Rights Act's Enforcement"

A federal appeals court ruling states that only the federal government, not citizens and groups, can sue under a key part of the Voting Rights Act, effectively undermining the legislation in seven states. The ruling, which applies to Arkansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota, limits the ability of private citizens and civil rights groups to bring claims under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. This decision is likely to be challenged and could potentially reach the U.S. Supreme Court, as it threatens to significantly weaken the Voting Rights Act's power.