ATLANTA (June 25, 2013) – Sen. Cecil Staton (R-Macon) has released the following statement regarding the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to strike down Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act.
“I would like to commend the U.S. Supreme Court today for deeming Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act unconstitutional,” said Sen. Staton. “Georgia is only one of 9 states that must obtain pre-clearance from the Justice Department in order to make changes to its existing voting laws while 41 other states are afforded complete autonomy.
“Striking down Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act relieved Georgia from the requirements under Section 5 of the Act, which required mandatory pre-clearance from the U.S. Justice Department. “This section of the law was an apparent attempt to subvert the voting rights and jurisdiction of mostly Southern states that should otherwise be allowed to make their own voting decisions.
“The Supreme Court’s ruling will also have a major impact on local Bibb County elections. Scheduled for this upcoming July, the new Bibb County consolidated government elections are currently being postponed by the U.S. Department of Justice while they were seeking further clarification regarding our elections process. As a result of this ruling, these important voting decisions will be left to the more than capable hands of local and state authorities.
“Today’s decision to overturn this unconstitutional section of the Voting Rights Act is a step in the right direction toward allowing states and local municipalities the ability to oversee and manage their own voting laws.”
Sen. Staton authored several non-partisan elections bills which were adopted during the 2013 Legislative Session, including SB25, SB26, SB27, SB29 SB30, SB31, SB32. Since being signed into law, this legislation is responsible for establishing non-partisan municipal elections for the Macon-Bibb consolidated government.
RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
June 25, 2013
For Information Contact:
Jennifer Yarber, Interim Director
Shawna Mercer, Sr. Communications Specialist
Shawna.Mercer@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028