Voting Rights

President Miles Rapoport urges justice in Ferguson, MO and national attack on economic and political inequality that fueled violence there.

Since the Supreme Court, in Shelby Co. v. Holder, eviscerated Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act, a statute that for decades protected against discrimination at polling places in a number of historically-discriminating jurisdictions, states across the country – some previously covered by the act, others not – have been, in quick succession, passing and implementing legislation making it harder for many, including people of color once protected by the VRA, to cast their ballots in elections.

Voter discrimination is alive and well, despite claims to the contrary.

Congress should mark the one year anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision in Shelby County v. Holder by finally moving forward on the bipartisan Voting Rights Amendment Act (VRAA), Common Cause said today.