Legislative declaration. [Editor's note: For the applicability of this section on or after January 1, 2026, see the editor's note following the article 47 heading.]

1-47-102. Legislative declaration. [Editor's note: For the applicability of this section on or after January 1, 2026, see the editor's note following the article 47 heading.] (1) The general assembly finds and declares that: (a) Electoral systems or practices that deny to race, color, or language minority groups an equal opportunity to elect candidates of their choice are inconsistent with the right to free and open elections as provided by section 5 of article II of the state constitution and protections found in the fourteenth and fifteenth amendments to the United States constitution; (b) Discrimination in voting is a persistent matter of statewide concern due to the history of discriminatory practices that create disparities that persist over time; and (c) Voter turnout is a matter of statewide concern and is more likely to be low in local elections that are not coordinated with statewide elections. (2) The general assembly further finds and declares that the prevention of discrimination in voting and voter turnout are matters of statewide concern. (3) Therefore, it is in the best interest of the state to create a state voting rights act that protects against discrimination in voting and that encourages local elections to be held in coordination with statewide elections. Source: L. 2025: Entire article added, (SB 25-001), ch. 178, p. 748, � 11, effective August 6.