Thread by @msbellows

I hope John Roberts has a sleepless night tonight.

The Civil Rights Act of 1965 used to have a "preclearance" requirement that forced historically racist jurisdictions to obtain DOJ approval before changing their voting laws (like Georgia just did).
1/

SCOTUS struck that down in Shelby County v. Holder (2013). Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for the majority that the problem of state voting discrimination had largely disappeared:

"Nearly 50 years later, things have changed dramatically...

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"In the covered jurisdictions, '[v]oter turnout and registration rates now approach parity. Blatantly discriminatory evasions of federal decrees are rare. And minority candidates hold office at unprecedented levels.'...

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"The tests and devices that blocked access to the ballot have been forbidden nationwide for over 40 years... Problems remain in these States and others, but there is no denying that, due to the Voting Rights Act, our Nation has made great strides...

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"[N]o one can fairly say that [the record] shows anything approaching the 'pervasive,' 'flagrant,' 'widespread,' and 'rampant' discrimination that faced Congress in 1965, and that clearly distinguished the covered jurisdictions from the rest of the Nation at that time."

5/

Georgia's new law proves that everything Roberts wrote there is 100% Grade-A bullshit.

1965 minus 1865 = 100.

The Civil Rights Act was written BECAUSE DISCRIMINATION STILL EXISTED A FULL CENTURY AFTER SLAVERY ENDED.

WHY WOULD ANYONE THINK ANOTHER 50 YEARS WOULD CHANGE THAT?
6/

Which is why we need to pass the democracy-protection laws pending before the Senate.

Which is why we need to fix the filibuster.

Because otherwise, democracy is dead.
7/7

Aaaaargh! Exactly right. I appreciate the correction.

https://twitter.com/DHStokyo/status/1375500419447721984