On July 1, 2021, the United States Supreme Court issued a decision that limits the power of state legislatures to regulate federal elections. The case, Brnovich v. Democratic National Committee, involved two Arizona voting laws that the DNC argued violated the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the Constitution’s 15th Amendment.
The first law required election officials to discard ballots cast in the wrong precinct, while the second prohibited anyone other than a family member or caregiver from collecting and delivering someone else’s completed ballot. The DNC argued that these laws disproportionately affected minority voters and violated their right to vote.
In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court upheld both laws, stating that they did not violate the Voting Rights Act or the Constitution. The majority opinion, written by Justice Samuel Alito, argued that the laws were designed to prevent voter fraud and were not intended to discriminate against minority voters.
The decision has significant implications for future federal election regulations. It limits the power of state legislatures to regulate federal elections and could make it more difficult for federal courts to strike down state voting laws that may have a discriminatory impact on minority voters.
Critics of the decision argue that it undermines the Voting Rights Act and makes it easier for states to pass laws that suppress minority voting. They also point out that the decision comes at a time when many states are passing new voting laws in response to baseless claims of voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election.
Supporters of the decision argue that it upholds the principle of federalism and allows states to regulate their own elections without interference from the federal government. They also argue that the decision does not prevent Congress from passing federal voting rights legislation to protect minority voters.
Overall, the Supreme Court’s decision in Brnovich v. Democratic National Committee is likely to have significant implications for future federal election regulations. It limits the power of state legislatures to regulate federal elections and could make it more difficult for federal courts to strike down state voting laws that may have a discriminatory impact on minority voters. The decision is sure to be the subject of much debate and discussion in the coming months and years as the country continues to grapple with issues of voting rights and election integrity.
