On Civil Rights Act anniversary, Bill Clinton criticizes voter restrictions

AUSTIN, Texas – Former President Bill Clinton is using the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act to criticize efforts in several states to create new restrictions for voters, saying they threaten to roll back a half-century of progress.

Clinton spoke Wednesday night during the Civil Rights Summit at the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library in Austin. The library is hosting the three-day event to mark the anniversary of the landmark 1964 law.

Clinton noted last year's Supreme Court ruling striking down parts of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, including no longer requiring some states with a history of discriminatory voting laws to change election laws without federal approval.

He also noted efforts to require voters to present photo identification to cast ballots. Voters in at least 10 states must now do so.