Voting Rights under Fire: The Continuing Struggle for People of Color

by Donathan L. Brown, Michael L. Clemons

Overview

With the increasing demands for changes in how we vote, the authors analyze the complications of race tied to these proposed policies through historical and contemporary challenges.

Why does race play such a discursive role when it comes to the "right to vote"? Lawmakers are continuing to propose changes to voting rights policies that directly impact African Americans and the emerging Latino electorate. Ranging from issues like voter identification laws, accusations of voter fraud, and voting rights for convicted felons, this single-volume provides an in-depth analysis regarding the various racial dimensions embedded in cases of public policy.

By highlighting the origination and evolution of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, Voting Rights under Fire: The Continuing Struggle for People of Color demonstrates the still-prevalent issues around voting and people of color. This work will provide readers an accessible, interdisciplinary book that interconnects past and present issues involving political debates, public policy, and court decisions pertaining to race and voting rights in America.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781440832475
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	05/26/2015
Series:	Racism in American Institutions
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.30(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Donathan L. Brown, PhD, is associate professor and editor of the Jourbanal of Race and Policy in the Department of Communication Studies at Ithaca College.

Michael L. Clemons, PhD, is associate professor and founding editor of the Jourbanal of Race and Policy in the Department of Political Science and Geography at Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA.

Table of Contents

Series Foreword vii

Acknowledgments ix

Introduction: Voter Identification Laws Then and Now xi

1 Formulating Democracy: Development and Evolution of Voting Rights in America 1

2 Felon Disenfranchisement and Voting Rights 35

3 On the Birth of Voter Identification Laws: Crawford v. Marion County 69

4 Controversy in the Keystone State: A Pennsylvania Story 97

5 In Defense of Voter ID: Texas v. Holder and Shelby v. Holder 119

6 Conclusion: Current Trends in Voter ID Laws and Felon Disenfranchisement 147

Epilogue: A Note on Majority-Minority Growth 159

Appendix: Current Voter ID Policy Snippets 163

Bibliography 187

Index 199

Editorial Reviews

A timely and well-written work on an important topic for general readers, senior high school students, and college undergraduates.” —Library Jourbanal

From the Publisher

04/01/2016
Brown (Ithaca Coll., NY) and Clemons (Old Dominion Univ., VA) have produced a thought-provoking addition to the "Racism in American Institutions" series. Writing in a balanced, insightful, and objective manner, the authors not only highlight past and present racial dimensions that have affected voting rights but also illustrate how past actions continue to guide current controversies. The book comprises an introduction, six chapters on significant aspects of racism in voting, and an epilog of the possible role of race in future elections. Segments range in length from 12 to 34 pages, giving the authors ample space to address specific topics. Three areas are emphasized: the development of voting rights, felon disenfranchisement, and voter ID laws and policy. At the core of the book are several legislative and judicial analyses with a particular emphasis on landmark court cases Applewhite v. the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Crawford v. Marion County Election Board, and Shelby v. Holder. As a result of their detailed and reasoned inquiry, Brown and Clemons have convincingly argued that race has been and remains a pivotal factor in the politics of and rhetoric concerning U.S. voting rights. VERDICT A timely and well-written work on an important topic for general readers, senior high school students, and college undergraduates.—Rob Tench, Old Dominion Univ. Lib., Norfolk, VA

Library Journal