Butterfield Denounces Supreme Court's Decision and State Voter ID Bill

Statement

Today, Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) issued the following statement regarding the Supreme Court of the United States' decision declaring Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 unconstitutional:

"I am outraged with the Supreme Court's decision to declare as unconstitutional Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act. The decision will lead to less protection for minority voters in covered jurisdictions.

"When the Voting Rights Act was reauthorized in 2006 by an overwhelming bi-partisan majority, Congress found that the extension of Section 5 was necessary to prevent covered jurisdictions from enacting laws and procedures that would dilute the vote of minority citizens.

"Today, five of the nine justices on the Supreme Court essentially overruled the will of Congress and found as unconstitutional the formula used to require certain jurisdictions to submit election law changes to the Department of Justice for preclearance. The Supreme Court apparently expects that Congress will make revisions to the coverage formula, an act that is highly unlikely given the political environment in the House of Representatives.

"It is an absurd remedy for the Supreme Court to expect Congress to redefine the coverage formula to prevent discriminatory voting changes. The Republican House majority has shown its disdain for civil rights laws. It is unreasonable to believe Congress will act in good faith and in the spirit of the court's decision. And so, the result of this decision will be a complete gutting of Section 5 which will embolden state efforts to enact discriminatory laws and procedures.

"Just today, North Carolina state Senate Rules Committee Chairman Tom Apodaca announced his intent to bring up a bill next week to require voter ID as a condition for registering to vote in North Carolina. Undoubtedly, there will be more efforts to suppress minority voting strength.

"The court should have implemented an interim formula that could be used until Congress enacts a formula that is constitutional and protects minority communities from vote dilution."

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