A federal appeals court on Monday ruled that only the U.S. Department of Justice can bring lawsuits under Section 2 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, a decision that—if upheld—would deprive private citizens and advocacy groups of the ability to file legal challenges to fight discriminatory election practices.

In a 2-1 decision, the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that there is no “private right of action” under that part of the Voting Rights Act, which prohibits “any voting standard, practice, or procedure that results in the denial or abridgment of the right of any citizen to vote on account of race, color, or membership in a language minority group.”

Judge David Stras, an appointee of former President Donald Trump, wrote in the majority opinion that “the who-gets-to-sue question is the centerpiece of today’s case.”

“The Voting Rights Act lists only one plaintiff who can enforce § 2: the attorney general,” Stras added, acknowledging […]