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Reuters
Reuters
By Andrew Chung (Reuters) -The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday made it easier for states to enact voting restrictions, endorsing Republican-backed measures in Arizona that a lower court had decided disproportionately burdened Black, Latino and Native American voters and handing a defeat to Democrats who had challenged the policies. The 6-3 ruling, authored by conservative Justice Samuel Alito, held that the restrictions on early ballot collection by third parties and where ballots may be cast did not violate the Voting Rights Act, a landmark 1965 federal law that prohibits racial discrimination…
The Anti-Defamation League issued this comment:
ADL (the Anti-Defamation League) is deeply disturbed by today’s Supreme Court decision further undermining the landmark Voting Rights Act. In its 6-3 ruling in Brnovich v. DNC, the Court said that the Act did not bar Arizona lawmakers from limiting voters’ access to the ballot, even though the Arizona legislation disproportionately affected Black and brown voters, Native American voters, students, and low-income voters.
“Unfortunately, this holding will open the door to new restrictions and hinder future challenges to harmful state policies barring equal access to the ballot,” said ADL CEO Jonathan A. Greenblatt.
In her blistering dissent, Justice Elena Kagan opened by saying “if a single statute represents the best of America, it is the Voting Rights Act. It marries two great ideals: democracy and racial equality. And it dedicates our country to carrying them out.” Joined by Justices Breyer and Sotomayor, she then explained in detail how the Court was undermining the great purpose behind the Act, ending by saying that it, “of all laws, deserves the sweep and power Congress gave it.”
Earlier this year, ADL joined 52 other organizations on an amicus brief in this case led by the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights in support of the right to vote. Faced with the majority’s further undermining of the Voting Rights Act, it is more important than ever for Congress to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the For the People Act. Free and fair access to the ballot for everyone is a key pillar of our democracy, and right now it is in great jeopardy.
The Worker’s Circle issued this comment:
Today, Ann Toback, CEO of the Workers Circle, responded to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Brnovich v. Democratic National Committee. The Workers Circle is a signatory on the Leadership Conference for Civil and Human Rights Amicus Brief in the case. In a 6 to 3 ruling, the Court upheld two discriminatory Arizona laws: one that permits a ballot cast in the wrong precinct to be thrown out and a second which restricts ballot collection by third parties that help voters who live far from polling places cast their ballots.
“The Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision to uphold two Arizona laws that have demonstrably harmed voters of color and to weaken Article 2 of the Voting Rights Act to make it more challenging to bring a case of racial discrimination is an affront to both democracy and equality. The Court itself acknowledged the burden that discriminatory laws place on Black, Brown, and Native voters trying to cast their ballots and then made it harder for these very voters experiencing that discrimination to remedy that injustice through the courts.
The right to vote is the cornerstone upon which our democratic nation is built, yet the Supreme Court today chose to weaken federal protections for voters at a time when they are most urgently needed. Hundreds of new voter suppression bills are making their way through state legislatures right now. Some have already been signed into law.
It is more vital than ever for the Senate to pass the For the People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to redress the additional harm caused by today’s shameful decision and ensure that every single American can freely vote and be assured that vote will be counted.”
National Council of Jewish Women CEO Sheila Katz issued the following statement: “Today’s decision is a devastating reinforcement that our work to guarantee easy and equitable access to the ballot box is more urgent than ever. In order to promote our mission of supporting women, children, and families, we must ensure easy and equitable access to the ballot box. It is the literal foundation of our democracy.”