8 states that already had bans on affirmative action
- The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday struck down affirmative action
- The decision limits the consideration of race in college admissions
- Some state legislatures — and voters — moved to ban it decades ago
WASHINGTON (NewsNation) — The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on Thursday to restrict affirmative action in college acceptance has thrown decades of legal precedence into limbo. But in the last 20 years, several states didn’t wait for the high court’s ruling.
Here are the eight states that banned affirmative action before the Supreme Court’s 2023 decision:
Arizona
In 2010, Arizona voters approved Proposition 107, which banned the practice of considering race or ethnicity for admission to public colleges and universities. It also applied to units of state government.
Florida
Former Gov. Jeb Bush, a Republican, banned the practice under a 1999 executive order known as the “One Florida” initiative.
Idaho
In 2020, Republican Gov. Brad Little signed a bill banning affirmative action for state agencies, state contracting and public education. The bill originated in the House and was amended in the Senate to avoid losing federal funding, according to The Associated Press.
Michigan
Michigan voters banned the practice under Proposition 2 in 2006. The ban was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2014 in a 6-2 ruling, according to CNN.
Nebraska
Affirmative action was banned in the state under a 2008 ballot measure known as the Nebraska Civil Rights Initiative.
New Hampshire
The state’s legislature passed House Bill 0623 in 2011, which banned affirmative action in public sector recruiting, hiring, promotions and university admission. The bill took effect in 2012.
Oklahoma
In 2012, voters in the state overwhelmingly passed The Oklahoma Affirmative Action Ban Amendment which banned the practice in public education, employment and contracting.
Washington implemented a ban on affirmative action in 1998. It was rescinded by Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee in 2022.