WASHINGTON (AP) — Three years ago, the Supreme Court warned there could be constitutional problems with a landmark civil rights law that has opened voting booths to millions of African-Americans.
Now, opponents of a key part of the Voting Rights Act are asking the court to finish off that provision.
The basic question is whether state and local governments that once boasted of their racial discrimination can still be forced to get federal permission before making changes in the way they hold elections.
Some of the governments covered — most of them are in the South — say they've turned away from racial discrimination. But Congress and lower courts want to continue federal oversight.
The Supreme Court could say as early as Monday whether it'll consider ending the advance approval requirement.
