Reply #66: It does. The different kinds of registration forms are race-neutral [View All]

[ohioan]

Let me give you an example. There have been cases brought under this provision of the Voting Rights Act challenging a registration process in which white voters used one color form and black voters were given another. That was found to be in violation of the Voting Rights Act. However, in this instance, the regular paper forms are used for one purpose, completely unrelated to race, and the cards are used for another, again unrelated to race. This does not violate the Voting Rights Act.

Now, that doesn't mean that these different forms aren't relevant. The fact that paper forms are used in some instances helps demonstrate that the card requirement is antiquated and no longer necessary. This actually helps the local boards justify ignoring Blackwell's directive since they have some proof that the card stock is not a material requirement and, thus, the lack thereof is not sufficient to invalidate a registration.