Ask Congress to Protect the Voting Rights of all Americans

Yesterday the United States Supreme Court delivered a stunning setback to the voting rights of millions of Americans. In the case of Shelby County v. Holderthe high court effectively nullified Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1964. The Voting Rights Act is the most successful and important piece of civil rights legislation of the 20th Century, and has been used to protect the rights of millions of voters across America for decades.

Prior to the ruling by the Supreme Court, Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act required that states and localities with a history of discrimination seek pre-approval of changes in voting rules that could affect minorities. As a result of the decision in Shelby County v. Holder, the Court invalidated the formula that governs which jurisdictions must have voting changes precleared.

Unless Congress acts immediately, the key section of the Voting Rights Act is now meaningless. Congressional leaders must come back together to take steps to provide new, modern, and effective protections for all voters.

As an Executive Member of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, ADC joins our partners and calls on Americans of all backgrounds, races, and political parties to demand that Congress come together to restore voting rights for all Americans.