After the Voting Rights Act Ruling: Macon Readies for Elections

  On Tuesday, June 25, 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a key provision of the 1965 Voting Rights Act.  Section 4 laid out a formula for deciding the states, including Georgia, that are covered by the pre-clearance rules.  That means Georgia had to get pre-approval from the Justice Department for changes to its political subdivisions or election rules.

In September, the Macon area will become the first major metropolitan area in Georgia to hold elections since the Supreme Court ruling.  These will also be the first elections for the new consolidated Macon-Bibb County.  So, advocates and leaders on all sides of the voting rights battle will be watching Macon.  WABE’s Denis O’Hayer spoke with Charles Richardson, editorial page editor of the Macon Telegraph.