Grants V. Johnson: What Case Sparked the Supreme Court's Landmark Decision on Voting Rights

Introduction
Grants v. Johnson was a landmark 1984 Supreme Court case that helped shape the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA). This case had a profound impact on the protection of voting rights for all Americans and established important legal precedents that continue to inform the nation's electoral process.

Background
The case stemmed from a challenge brought by black voters in the city of Rome, Georgia. The plaintiffs alleged that the city's at-large voting system, which elected all council members from a single, citywide district, diluted the voting power of black voters and violated Section 2 of the VRA.

Supreme Court Ruling
In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, holding that the city's at-large voting system did indeed violate Section 2 of the VRA. The Court found that the system had a discriminatory effect on black voters because it resulted in the election of all white council members, despite the fact that black voters constituted a majority of the city's population.

The Court's decision in Grants v. Johnson was based on the following key findings:

1. Voters Must Have an Opportunity to Elect Representatives of Their Choice: The Court held that Section 2 of the VRA requires that voters have an opportunity to elect representatives of their choice, regardless of their race or ethnicity.
2. Racial Polarization in Voting: The Court found that the at-large voting system had resulted in racial polarization in voting, with black voters consistently supporting black candidates and white voters supporting white candidates.
3. Burden of Proof: The Court also held that the burden of proof is on the jurisdiction using the challenged voting system to demonstrate that it does not have a discriminatory effect.

Impact of the Decision
The Supreme Court's decision in Grants v. Johnson had a significant impact on the Voting Rights Act of 1965. It helped to clarify the scope of Section 2 and provided lower courts with clear guidance on how to evaluate allegations of vote dilution.

As a result of the decision, many jurisdictions across the country changed their voting systems to ensure that minority voters had a fair opportunity to elect representatives of their choice. This led to increased representation of minority candidates in elected office and helped to strengthen the nation's democracy.

Subsequent Developments
Since the Supreme Court's decision in Grants v. Johnson, there have been a number of subsequent developments related to voting rights. In 1986, Congress amended Section 2 of the VRA to make it more difficult for jurisdictions to change their voting systems. In 2013, the Supreme Court struck down a key provision of the VRA in Shelby County v. Holder.

Key Points to Remember
* The Supreme Court's decision in Grants v. Johnson was a landmark case that helped to shape the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
* The decision held that at-large voting systems that have a discriminatory effect on minority voters are unconstitutional.
* The decision had a significant impact on voting systems across the country, leading to increased representation of minority candidates in elected office.
* The Voting Rights Act of 1965 has been amended and challenged over the years, but it remains a vital tool for protecting voting rights for all Americans.

How to Protect Voting Rights
There are a number of things that can be done to protect voting rights for all Americans. These include:

• Voting: The most important thing that citizens can do to protect their voting rights is to vote in every election.
• Supporting organizations that fight for voting rights: There are a number of organizations that are working to protect voting rights. These organizations need financial support and volunteers to help them continue their work.
• Staying informed about voting laws: It is important to stay informed about voting laws and any changes that are being proposed. This information can be found on the websites of state and local election officials.
• Participating in the electoral process: There are a number of ways to participate in the electoral process, such as serving as a poll worker or volunteering for a candidate's campaign.

By taking these steps, citizens can help to protect voting rights for all Americans.