What A Day - "The Voting Rights Act Is Again Under Attack"
Release Date: August 6, 2025
Host: Jane Coaston | Producer: Crooked Media

Introduction

In this pivotal episode of What A Day, host Jane Coaston delves into the pressing issue of the Voting Rights Act's 60th anniversary and the renewed threats it faces. Through in-depth discussion and expert insights, the episode unpacks the historical significance of the Act, recent Supreme Court challenges, and the broader implications for American democracy.

The Voting Rights Act at 60: A Historical Overview

Jane Coaston opens the episode by highlighting the monumental impact of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Enacted during the height of the civil rights movement, the Act was designed to eliminate discriminatory voting practices that disenfranchised African American voters. Jane explains:

“Before its passage, millions of [Black Americans] were subject to bullshit voting tests that kept them out of the voting booth and out of political power.”
— Jane Coaston ([00:33])

She underscores the Act's role in abolishing oppressive measures like literacy tests, moral character assessments, and grandfather clauses, which systematically excluded Black voters from the electoral process.

Supreme Court Decisions: Undermining the Act's Protections

Jane transitions to discuss the challenges the Voting Rights Act has faced over the past decade, particularly focusing on Supreme Court rulings that have eroded its core protections. She introduces Rick Hasen, an election law expert at UCLA, to shed light on these developments.

Rick elaborates on the preclearance provision, a key component of the Act that required certain states and jurisdictions with histories of racial discrimination to obtain federal approval before making any changes to their voting laws or practices:

“The idea is, if you're in a state like Texas and you want to redistrict, you have to draw new districts for your voters. You had to go to the Department of Justice or to a federal court and show that the change wouldn't make minority voters worse off.”
— Rick Hasen ([04:47])

However, in a 2013 decision, the Supreme Court invalidated this preclearance requirement in Shelby County v. Holder, arguing that the criteria were outdated. This landmark ruling significantly weakened the Act's enforceability, making it easier for states to implement potentially discriminatory laws without federal oversight.

Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act: Current Challenges

Jane shifts the conversation to Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which prohibits voting practices that discriminate on the basis of race, regardless of voter turnout. Rick explains:

“Section 2 has been enforced by the Supreme Court since 1986, especially in cases where racially polarized voting patterns necessitate fair representation for minority voters.”
— Rick Hasen ([07:54])

The episode spotlights a contemporary case from Louisiana, where the creation of a second, likely majority-Black congressional district is being contested. Non-African American voters argue that this redistricting violates the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment by considering race too heavily in drawing electoral maps.

Supreme Court's Latest Ruling: A Threat to Section 2

Rick expresses deep concern over a recent Supreme Court order related to the Louisiana case:

“Assuming that race was what predominated in drawing, that second district doing that to comply with Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act now unconstitutional. In other words, race-conscious districting itself violates the Constitution.”
— Rick Hasen ([08:16])

This ambiguous ruling suggests that the Court may soon deem Section 2 unconstitutional, either partly or entirely, posing a severe threat to the safeguards currently in place for minority voters.

Implications for American Democracy

The potential nullification of Section 2 has profound implications. Rick warns:

“The Supreme Court has almost never been the leader on voting rights. It's going to have to come from the people, and it may mean constitutional amendments, it may mean a new civil rights movement.”
— Rick Hasen ([13:04])

He argues that without Section 2, minority voters could again face significant barriers, undermining the democratic principle of equal representation. This erosion could spark renewed activism and calls for legislative reforms to restore and bolster voting protections.

Broader Political Context

Beyond the Voting Rights Act, the episode touches on several other significant news items:

• President Trump's Olympic Task Force: Jane reports on Trump's executive order establishing a task force for the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics. During the signing, Trump emphasized security and success, while controversially praising efforts to exclude transgender women from women's sports.

  “The United States will not let men steal trophies from women at the 2028 Olympics.”
  — Donald Trump ([16:52])

• Israel-Gaza Conflict: Updates on Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's potential plans to fully occupy the Gaza Strip amid ongoing conflict, highlighting the international tensions and humanitarian concerns.

• Rwanda Accepting US Deportees: Rwanda becomes the third African nation to agree to accept US deportees, following South Sudan and Eswatini. This move mirrors Rwanda's previous agreement with the UK to accept asylum seekers, albeit details remain sparse.

• FEMA Funding Lawsuit: A federal judge blocks the Trump administration from reallocating billions intended for disaster protection, citing constitutional issues over FEMA's authority to redirect these funds without Congressional approval.

• Jeffrey Epstein Case Developments: The podcast covers Ghislaine Maxwell's transfer to a minimum-security facility, the House Oversight Committee's subpoenas for documents related to Epstein, and controversial remarks by Greg Kelly of Newsmax defending Maxwell despite evidence of her involvement in sexual abuse.

Conclusion

Jane Coaston wraps up the episode by reinforcing the critical state of voting rights in America. She emphasizes the need for vigilance and active participation to safeguard democratic principles against judicial and legislative overreach. The episode serves as a clarion call for listeners to remain informed and engaged in the fight to protect and enhance voting rights for all citizens.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Rick Hasen: “The idea is, if you're in a state like Texas and you want to redistrict, you have to draw new districts for your voters...” ([04:47])

• Rick Hasen: “Section 2 has been enforced by the Supreme Court since 1986...” ([07:54])

• Rick Hasen: “Assuming that race was what predominated in drawing, that second district... now unconstitutional.” ([08:16])

• Rick Hasen: “We could see a new civil rights movement emerge out of this.” ([13:04])

• Donald Trump: “The United States will not let men steal trophies from women at the 2028 Olympics.” ([16:52])

Implications for Listeners

For those who haven't tuned into the episode, What A Day provides a comprehensive and engaging exploration of the Voting Rights Act's current challenges, contextualized within broader political developments. The discussions underscore the fragile nature of voting protections in the United States and highlight the urgent need for collective action to preserve democratic integrity.

Listeners are encouraged to stay informed, participate in civic activities, and advocate for policies that ensure equitable voting rights for all Americans.