<p>A steady drumbeat of press briefings and messaging events is reaching a crescendo as the Supreme Court prepares to hear arguments Wednesday in a case that questions whether a key provision of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 is still needed.</p><p>Briefing breakfasts, afternoon seminars, information sessions on the Hill and a coordinated bus campaign that mimics the Freedom Rides of the 1960s all focus on influencing the outcome of Shelby County v. Holder.</p><p>"While the justices play a distinct role in our society and in our country, they're not divorced from society at large. I can't see how they couldn't be influenced by what people think about their actions," said Ellen Buchman, vice president of field operations for the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, which is planning a rally during Wednesday's oral arguments.</p><p>The case will focus on a provision of the Voting Rights Act that requires areas with a history of discrimination to "preclear" any changes to their voting procedures with the Justice Department. The legal team representing Shelby County, Ala., will argue that the requirement is outdated and unnecessarily burdensome. The Justice Department and civil rights attorneys will say it is still a powerful, and needed, tool to address entrenched voting discrimination.</p><p><a href="http://www.rollcall.com/news/messaging_ramps_up_before_key_voting_rights_case-222592-1.html?pos=olobh">Keep reading...</a></p>