The special provisions requiring federal oversight of voting procedures are scheduled to expire in 2007. Congress has extended these provisions three times since 1965, and should do so again. The next reauthorization, however, should extend these provisions to all fifty states. Voting fraud and questionable election outcomes have occurred in jurisdictions outside those specifically covered by the VRA, and protections against future fraudulent practices should be ensured for every American.

The VRA’s basic prohibitions against discriminatory voting laws and practices are permanent and do not expire in 2007. Yet some congressional Democrats and the so-called “Black leaders” are spinning the deadline to scare minority voters into thinking that their right to vote will disappear completely in two years if the special provisions are not reauthorized.

The VRA has been called the most successful civil rights legislation in history. Since it was enacted the percentage of registered voters from racial minorities registered to vote has risen astronomically. In 1965, just 7 percent of Blacks were registered to vote in Mississippi, 19 percent were registered in Alabama, and 27 percent were registered in Georgia. According to 2004 Census statistics, 64 percent of the U.S. Black voting age population is registered to vote, compared to 68 percent of Whites.

The Bush administration and Congressional Republican leaders of course support reauthorization of the VRA. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales stated, “This administration looks forward to working with Congress on the reauthorization of this important legislation.” House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL), Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-TX), House Judiciary Committee Chairman James Sensenbrenner (R-WI) and others are on record for supporting reauthorization of the special provisions.

Congressional Republicans should move reauthorization to the top of their 2006 agenda and vote on the bill a year early. That will take the air out of the Democrat’s election year strategy, making the issue for them as flat as their leadership.