SAINT PAUL — On November 20, 2023, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, in which Minnesota is located, ruled that the Voting Rights Act allows only the federal government, and not individuals, to bring lawsuits under Section 2 of the law - which prohibits voting practices that are racially discriminatory.
Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon issued the following statement:
"I strongly disagree with the court’s ruling, which will make it even harder to challenge election laws that discriminate based on race. For nearly 60 years, the Voting Rights Act has allowed individuals and civil rights organizations to bring lawsuits under Section 2 ensuring that Americans not only have the right to vote, but that they are represented fairly. By removing this critical tool, the ruling has the potential to weaken our democracy."