The next big voting rights case: Your teachers' tool kit

The next big voting rights case is pending right now before the Supreme Court.  A decision is expected before the Court ends its term this June.  These links can help you prepare your students for understanding that decision, as well as issues concerning voting rights generally.

Evenwell v. Abbott is the first big voting rights case since the Supreme Court's 2013 case in Shelby County v. Holder.  That case invalidated a provision of the 1965 Voting Rights Act that had allowed the U.S. Justice Department to oversee election laws and procedures in states with a history of voting discrimination.

Evenwell deals with a different but related issue.  It's actually deceptively simply stated: When the Supreme Court requires "one-person, one vote," does that mean that each election district should have an equal number of registered voters, or an equal number of people?

Your teachers' tool kit to teach this lesson:

--Watch this short video summary (2:07) of the issues before the Court in Evenwell:

--This news story summarizes the argument advocates made on this subject before the Supreme Court.

--A recent New York Times story offered its interpretation of the legal issues, and what is at stake for minority voters.

--Click here as well for a comprehensive resource about issues concerning the Voting Rights Act sponsored by the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law.