Brennan Center for Justice

CBC Annual Legislative Conference
Chairman John Conyers Judiciary Braintrust

Advancing the Civil Rights Agenda: Protecting the Right to Vote

September 20, 2013
1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Washington Convention Center: Room 143-A

Through its opinion in Shelby County v. Holder, the Supreme Court substantially altered the web of laws protecting the voting rights of the African-American Community.  While the federal government still retains formidable authority under the Voting Rights Act, Congress will be required to re-examine federal authority under Section 5 of the Act.  When combined with the challenges raised by voter suppression statutes passed by the states during prior to the 2012 elections, important concerns exists about the state of the law and whether the Court has turned back the clock.  This Braintrust will explore the impact of the Shelby County decision and how Congress can act to restore Voting Rights Act authority and continue to protect voters from evolving discrimination.

moderated by 

Prof. Spencer Overton
George Washington University Law School

featuring

Barbara R. Arnwine
Executive Director, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights

Nicole M. Austin-Hillery
Director and Counsel, Washington Office, Brennan Center for Justice

Wade Henderson
President & CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights

Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr.
Founder Rainbow/PUSH Coalition

Dr.  Tyson D. King-Meadows
Ph.D., University of Maryland Baltimore County

Greg Moore
Executive Director, NAACP National Voter Fund

Prof. Charles Ogletree
Harvard Law School

Becky Pringle
Secretary/Treasurer, National Education Association

Hilary Shelton
Senior Vice President for Advocacy and Policy, NAACP

Deborah J. Vagins
Senior Legislative Counsel, ACLU Washington Legislative Office