A recent decision in Virginia restores voting rights based on a law from 1870 that sought to prevent discrimination by the state. Legal briefs written by UC Davis experts provided the historical groundwork for that decision.

Today's battles over redistricting is purely political and part of a long tradition of partisan hardball dating back nearly to the nation’s founding. As happened in the past, the result of this national battle unfolding in state legislatures could have lasting impacts on our political future.