State Lawmakers Weigh in On Voting Rights Act Ruling

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — The Supreme Court striking down section four of the voting rights act strikes a chord with many people, including State Senator David Lucas.

“People paid a real price in the south, people were lynched, they were killed just for the right to vote and what you see is a recreation of the same kinds of things but their doing it legislative wise,” said Senator Lucas, (D) District 26.

The court upheld Section 5 of the VRA which requires nine states, including Georgia, to get permission from the government to change their election laws.

In a 5-4 opinion, the justices voided Section 4, which spells out the guidelines that determine which states fall under Section 5.

Mercer University Professor of Law, David Oedel, says he’s not surprised the justices are asking congress to rewrite the act which clears the way for Macon-Bibb County elections.

“As things stand today there is no impediment formally to the Macon-Bibb County from holding nonpartisan elections when they want,” said Oedel.

It’s a ruling some state lawmakers were hoping for.

“I’m not surprised, a little frustrated by the delay process but now it’s time to move on. We now know what the law of the land is, let’s get this thing done, and get elections for the new government,” said Representative Allen Peake, (R) District 141.

“I think it’s absolutely the best thing in the world for our community that we’ve been given this window and we can now move forward with our elections on a non-partisan basis,” said State Senator Cecil Staton, (R) District 18.

When elections will happen is still unclear, and State Representative James Beverly says the ruling creates more questions.

“How that formula changes and will congress actually take up the manner to change the formula at this point? I don’t know, but we’ll see. I think it just adds more uncertainty of what we have in Bibb County,” said Representative Beverly, (D) District 143.

Bibb County Attorney Virgil Adams said via text he was not available for comment today, but was reviewing the ruling.

In an email, a spokesperson for Secretary of State Brian Kemp wrote, “Based on our initial interpretation of the decision, until Congress can determine a new formula based on current conditions, Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act is in essence dormant.”