WHAT’S PAST IS PROLOGUE: THE EFFECTS OF SHELBY COUNTY V. HOLDER IN GEORGIA

The Supreme Court’s decision in Shelby County v. Holder, which struck down Section 4 and, by extension, Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act, created a clear path for discriminatory voting laws to take hold. This article explores how the Supreme Court decision paved the way for second-generation barriers to voting, which legally diminish the influence of minority voters and in some cases, effectively block their participation altogether. It also examines Georgia’s role as a key state advancing these second-generation barriers to voting, alongside proposed legislation aimed at preventing these discriminatory practices before they can impact voters.