DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — President Barack Obama says the Supreme Court “made a mistake” in its decision to throw out a crucial provision of the Voting Rights Act.
Obama says the law was a “cornerstone of democracy” and the high court failed to recognize the degree to which voter suppression is a problem around the nation.
In a 5-4 ruling, the court said it could not enforce a requirement that states or localities with a history of discrimination must get federal government approval before changing the way they hold elections.
It said Congress must come up with a new way of determining which states and localities require close federal monitoring of elections.
Obama urged Congress to come up with ways to make it easier for people to vote.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.