The constitutionality of Section 5 itself was not at issue in the case, but the opinion said its “intrusion on state sovereignty” raises “serious constitutional questions,” quoting in part from a 2009 decision.
In his concurrence, Justice Thomas went further, repeating his view that “Section 5 is unconstitutional.”
If the South Carolina Voter ID decision gets fast-tracked to the Supreme Court this year, we might see Section 5 gone very soon.