We also show that formerly covered states were largely indistinguishable from formerly uncovered states in terms of retrogression. If anything, states unaffected by Shelby County retrogressed marginally more than did states impacted by the ruling. If changes in election laws, especially those affecting voter turnout, have little influence on partisan outcomes, why should the average citizen care about these developments? Conversely, even if the laws have only marginal influence on election outcomes, couldn’t that marginal difference become crucial in very close elections? We might think some changes to election laws are simply the right thing to do based on our ethical values.

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Persons: Nicholas Stephanopolous, Eric McGhee, Christopher Warshaw, ”, Richard Hasen, Hersh, ” Marc Elias, Elias, Grimmer, “ Organizations: Harvard Law School, Public, Institute of California, George Washington University, State Senate, State House, Elias Law Group, Democratic, Republican Locations: County, Arizona, U.C.L.A, Brnovich