Steve Buyer: “I think the 1965 Voting Rights Act rightfully mandates the three-judge panel to pass judgment on issues dealing with…”

“I think the 1965 Voting Rights Act rightfully mandates the three-judge panel to pass judgment on issues dealing with voting rights. When we have a State acting as one voice in a State referendum, there is a proper nexus between the State's voice and that of issues of voting rights under the Voting Rights Act. So with that proper nexus, I think it is a very good issue for this Congress to take. So what we are saying here, if in fact we are going to always mandate in a voting rights case so that it be decided by three Federal judges and now the nexus, it is not also proper for us to have a three-judge panel decide the issues of a State referendum on the issues of constitutionality? I would submit that, yes, it is, because we do not want to take such a paramount issue and allow it to be decided by one. I think it is extremely important to move to the three-judge panel, especially when we are talking about the people's voice. The people's voice under the law is the protection of the minority, and I think that is what is so wonderful about our country and society as a republic, a nation of laws, not people.”