Clear 12. EVALUATING ARGUMENTS What was the significance of the Supreme Court's rulings in Crawford v. Marion County Election Boordand Shelby County v. Holder? square disappointed

The significance of the Supreme Court's rulings in Crawford v. Marion County Election Board and Shelby County v. Holder lies in their impact on voting rights and the enforcement of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.<br /><br />In Crawford v. Marion County Election Board (2008), the Supreme Court upheld an Indiana law requiring voters to present a government-issued photo ID in order to vote. This ruling was significant because it set a precedent for states to implement strict voter identification requirements, which proponents argue helps prevent voter fraud, while critics argue it can disenfranchise certain groups of voters.<br /><br />In Shelby County v. Holder (2013), the Supreme Court struck down a key provision of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which required certain states and local governments with a history of discrimination in voting to obtain federal approval before making changes to their election laws or practices. This ruling was significant because it effectively weakened the enforcement mechanism of the Voting Rights Act, which had been used to prevent discriminatory practices in voting.<br /><br />Overall, the significance of these rulings lies in their impact on voting rights and the balance of power between state and federal governments in regulating elections.