That would be someone with a child likely to get financial aid at any one of two dozen schools that use the so-called Section 568 formula for awarding aid.

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But while past Supreme Court rulings rejected challenges to Section 5, in a 2009 decision the justices signaled that the formula for selecting jurisdictions covered by Section 5, last updated with the 1972 election results, may not reflect subsequent progress in race relations and therefore may become an unconstitutional burden on state prerogatives to decide their own ballot regulations.

WSJ: Justices Question Aspects of Voting Rights Act

"We know what's going on with the economy, especially the automotive section, and Formula One is part of that even if it's a high-profile sport, " Trulli told BBC Sport.

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Forcing states to comply with Section 5 now because of a formula using 1972 data demeans their right to "equal dignity" with states whose election laws are presumptively valid, he said.

WSJ: Voting Act Under Scrutiny

Forcing states such as Alabama, Mississippi and Texas to comply with Section 5 today because of a formula using 1972 voter data demeans their right to "equal dignity" with states whose election laws are presumptively valid, Mr. Rein said.

WSJ: Justices Question Aspects of Voting Rights Act

But while past high-court rulings rejected challenges to the preclearance requirement, in a 2009 decision the justices signaled that the formula for selecting jurisdictions covered by Section 5, last updated with the 1972 election results, may not reflect progress in race relations.

WSJ: Voting Act Under Scrutiny

The Consensus formula (also referred to by the Section 568 statute permitting it) has an interesting loophole that involves the value of your home: The amount of home equity that goes into calculating your net worth is capped at 120% of your income.

FORBES: Paying for College: the Mortgage Paydown Maneuver