League of Women Voters: History of the Voting Rights Act ONLINE

Series Introduction
For nine years, the League of Women Voters of Vermont, in partnership with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library, has presented a monthly series of programs designed to inform and engage the public on issues of civic importance. This year, the series turns its attention to voting rights and access to the ballot—a cornerstone of democracy that continues to evolve amid social, legal, and political challenges. Join us each month as we explore key questions and legislation shaping the American voting landscape.

December 10: History of the Voting Rights Act
Explore the origins and impact of the Voting Rights Act, the landmark legislation that shaped access to the ballot in the United States.

About the Speaker:

Professor Alec Ewald teaches courses in constitutional law and U.S. politics and constitutional law, in the Department of Political Science at UVM. His research focuses on criminal justice, specifically on the restrictions of rights and privileges that often accompany a conviction – what are sometimes called the “collateral consequences” of criminal-justice involvement. He is author of The Way We Vote: The Local Dimension of American Suffrage (Vanderbilt University Press, 2009), and co-editor of Criminal Disenfranchisement in an International Perspective (Cambridge University Press, 2009). His research has been published in academic journals such as Criminology, Law & Policy, Law & Social Inquiry, Publius: The Journal of Federalism, Qualitative Sociology, Social Science Quarterly, the Fordham Urban Law Journal, the Wisconsin Law Review, and the Columbia Human Rights Law Review.

This talk will address the history and impact of the Voting Rights Act (VRA), including landmark recent decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court that have limited the VRA’s reach. Professor Ewald will also discuss a case currently before the Court, Louisiana v. Callais, in which the Court will consider striking down the VRA’s most significant surviving section.

Join the virtual meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85261263951

Future Talks:

January 14: Voter Suppression Methods
Examine the tactics and policies that have been used to restrict voting access and their effects on communities across the country.

February 11: Gerrymandering
Learn how the drawing of electoral district boundaries can influence political power and affect representation.

March 11: John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the SAVE Act
Discuss recent federal proposals aimed at protecting voting rights and combating discriminatory practices at the ballot box, as well as new rules that would restrict access to voter registration.

Previous Talks:

November 12:  What is Birthright Citizenship?
The series opens with a talk on birthright citizenship, one of the most fundamental yet often misunderstood elements of American democracy. What does it mean to be granted citizenship by birth? How has this principle been interpreted, challenged, and defended over time? This program will examine the historical roots of the 14th Amendment, explore current debates surrounding citizenship, and consider what proposed changes could mean for the future of civil rights in the United States.