New York Appeals Court Upholds Voting Rights Law, Reverses Lower Ruling

A New York appeals court has upheld the constitutionality of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act, reversing a prior ruling that deemed the law unconstitutional. The Act aims to protect minority voting rights and allows voters to challenge at-large elections on grounds of racial or ethnic discrimination. The lawsuit, filed by six Black and Hispanic residents against the Town of Newburgh, argued that such elections diluted their votes, preventing them from electing candidates of their choice. The appellate court found that the lower court overstepped its authority by invalidating the entire law, emphasizing that the town failed to demonstrate that compliance would violate the Equal Protection Clause. This decision revives lawsuits seeking district-based elections, potentially enhancing representation for minority groups in local governance. Town officials are considering whether to appeal to New York's highest court in response to the ruling.