Will the Roberts Court reignite the Civil War?

[annabanana]

(On UP with Chris Hayes now)

The Voting Rights Act, section 5 says that States with a "history of discrimination" cannot change the mechanics of voting without preclearing it with the Justice Department.

Chris maintains that section 5 ought to apply everywhere. Previous statements by Roberts implies that he thinks that discrimination at the polls is pretty much a thing of the past.

This issue is ANOTHER thing makes GOTV our number one priority.

[brewens]

1. I wouldn't object to photo ID laws much if there were enough lead time allowed.

Like if the were targeted at 2016. That would be plenty of time for states and citizens to work things out. Maybe have review boards for people that just don't have birth certificates or other circumstances. The rule there would have to be that the state would have to show proof they weren't a citizen to deny them a voter ID. Like some 80 year old woman that has voted for decades, raised a family and or worked for years with no problem. If you couldn't prove she snuck into the country illegally, she gets her ID.

They would also need to do a few other things to satisfy me though. As long as you have the ID requirement, there is no reason not to allow same day registration at the polls. Make sure you have enough polling places and workers to allow everyone to vote in a reasonable time as well.

It might be good strategy for Democrats to introduce bills in some states with all that and expanding early voting as well. Maybe not so much early voting time as locations to make it more convenient. They could show rules like that would be totally unacceptable to Republicans of course. The reasons would be obvious. Convenient voting hurts them.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

5. All the western nations I have been in require some form of photo ID for residents and citizens

Not sure how much is charged or the docs required to get them

[ProgressiveProfessor]

2. Given some of the racism I have seen over the years in MA and NY

Chris Hayes may have a point.

[annabanana]

4. Agreed. And I wouldn't have a sunset clause on it either. . . .n/t

[jsr]

3. Texas.

I rest my case.

[no_hypocrisy]

6. Republicans have a tendency to announce that civil rights aren't necessary any longer

when they want to start re-discriminating.

Example: Reagan saying that the Equal Rights Amendment wasn't necessary as women had all the rights they needed and amending the Constitution would be redundant. His Administration started rolling back abortion rights the first year.

[HopeHoops]

7. If possible, yes.