Rep. Demings Statement on SCOTUS Voting Rights Case

Press Release

Today Rep. Val Demings (FL-10) released the following statement following U.S. Supreme Court oral arguments in a case related to violations of Section Two of the Voting Right Act. Other portions of the Voting Rights Act have previously been dismantled by the Supreme Court.

Said Rep. Demings: "My parents often worked seven days a week as a maid and janitor, but I don't ever remember a time when they did not vote. My parents, like working Americans across our country, knew that their vote mattered just as much as the richest family in town. Our democracy and our right to vote is what keeps America prosperous, safe, and free. I will always fight for your right to vote, regardless of your ZIP code, gender, race, background, or political party.

"Your power to choose in the voting booth has a profound effect on your life. From where you live to how you worship, who you associate with and your right to make your own family and medical decisions, your right to vote affects every aspect of your life. The freedom to choose our representatives is a foundation of the freedom we all share. Our democracy makes all else possible.

"This is a case to determine whether politicians can draw political lines that silence or exclude the voices of entire American communities. Congress must act to restore and strengthen the Voting Rights Act and protect our freedoms, even if it means ending the filibuster. To the Senate: stop the obstruction, obey your oath to the Constitution, and protect our rights."

Background:

Politicians in Alabama have drawn congressional district lines that dilute the power of Black voters in clear violation of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act which requires "an equal opportunity to participate in the political process" for all Americans.

Congress has made clear that a gerrymander can be in violation of the Voting Rights Act as long as it is discriminatory, whether or not it was intentionally targeted on race.

Rep. Demings cosponsored the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to restore the Voting Rights Act.

Rep. Demings cosponsored H.R. 1/S. 1, the For The People Act, which would help secure our democracy: stopping the partisan anti-democratic assault on our democracy from voter suppression, banning the scourge of partisan gerrymandering, stemming the torrent of dark money flooding our elections and empowering small donors.

Rep. Demings introduced the Every Vote Counts Act to require every state to implement a ballot tracking system for vote by mail, require every county in America to have ballot drop boxes, and require NIST and the Election Assistance Commission to develop standards for alternatives for signature matching verification requirements for vote by mail.

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