Congressman Crowley on Supreme Court Decision on Voting Rights Act

Press Release

Today, Rep. Joe Crowley (D-Queens, the Bronx), issued the following statement in response to the Supreme Court's decision in the case of Shelby County v. Holder, which calls into question critical provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The Supreme Court ruled that one key provision, Section 4, which determines the states and localities that require federal monitoring of elections, cannot be enforced unless the U.S. Congress establishes a new formula that reflects current trends. Another provision in question, Section 5, which requires these states with a history of voting discrimination to seek approval from the federal government before making any changes to voting laws, was not overruled in today's decision, although its application will depend on how the issues with Section 4 are resolved.

"Despite today's Supreme Court decision, there's no doubt we have a continued need for critical protections like those in the Voting Rights Act. That was evident just in this past election cycle, when far too many efforts were made to suppress voter participation across the country. I will continue the fight to ensure that every voter, no matter where they live, is able to participate in our democracy to the fullest extent, and I hope my colleagues in Congress will join me in this effort. When the fundamental tenets of our democracy are at stake, we cannot settle for anything less."

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