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A federal appeals court heard oral arguments Wednesday from attorneys for the American Civil Liberties Union, the U.S. Department of Justice and from the Arkansas solicitor general in a case that will likely have far-reaching implications in the enforcement of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and has the potential to set a precedent for the entire country should the case find its way to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Diluting the strength of Black voters is the only plausible reason that Arkansas lawmakers divided Pulaski County's Black population from one congressional district into three, a voters group challenging the state's 2021 Reapportionment Plan argue as they try to save their federal lawsuit from dismissal.

Diluting the strength of Black voters is the only plausible reason that Arkansas lawmakers divided Pulaski County's Black population from one congressional district into three, a voters group challenging the state's 2021 Reapportionment Plan argue as they try to save their federal lawsuit from dismissal.

Four nominees to the U.S. Court of Appeals have become controversial because of an important, but often misunderstood, feature of the judicial confirmation process. That feature, called the “blue-slip” courtesy, highlights the views of Senators from a state in which a judicial nominee would serve. A dispute has arisen regarding whether the views of those home-state Senators should dictate, or merely influence, whether the Senate considers these nominees. More specifically, the question is whether a negative or withheld blue slip should be treated as a veto or as input.

A federal appeals court issued a decision Wednesday denying the state's petition to reconsider a district court ruling temporarily blocking the state from enforcing a law passed in 2021 banning gender-affirming care for minors.