WorldAugust 3, 2026

preclearance

PREE-kleer-uns

Definition

A legal requirement under the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that jurisdictions with a history of discriminatory voting practices must obtain federal approval before changing their election laws.

Etymology

The word is formed by combining the prefix 'pre-' (before) with 'clearance' (official authorization). It emerged in American legal terminology specifically to describe the administrative hurdle of obtaining permission before taking action.

In the news

The article uses the term to describe a specific Voting Rights Act protection that the U.S. Supreme Court struck down, arguing the court undermined civil rights by removing this oversight mechanism.

A Blistering Critique of the Roberts Court, From Hawaii’s Supreme Court

Read the full article ↗

The Bulwark

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