Supreme Court Decision Sides with State of Arizona on Voting Rights, Creating New Obstacles for Vote

WASHINGTON – In the midst of a heated national debate on the role of voting rights legislation across the nation following a controversial slate of elections last year, the U.S. Supreme Court narrowed the scope of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, upholding a state decision to restrict voting rights in Arizona. The decision allows Arizona’s implementation of harsh and obstructive voter identification laws for absentee voters to continue, allowing for state officials to overtake the system of local elections boards, implementing limits on the use of ballot drop boxes, and making it a crime to provide food or water to voters in line at the polls. This decision will hinder voters of color in Arizona from influencing their elections and being key members of the national, state, and local electorate. Poder Latinx condemns the court’s decision and commits to continue pushing for expanded voting rights for the Latinx community across the country. As voter registration efforts ramp up for the upcoming municipal elections and next year’s critical midterm elections, Poder Latinx looks toward educating voters on how to register and vote in their elections. “We need additional protections to ensure that our rights are not inhibited by these new voting policies in states like Arizona and Georgia. Congress must act to protect our access to the ballot box. This decision ultimately emphasizes what our community has always known, we have to do our part and not depend on the legislative or judicial branches to protect us. We will continue educating and empowering our community to participate in our democracy, ” said Yadira Sanchez, co-executive director of Poder Latinx. “This decision is another politically motivated attack on democracy that has no place in our judicial system. For far too long, voters of color have experienced backlash for showing up in elections. This decision is yet another attempt by politicians to preserve their power rather than abide by the will of the people. We will continue the fight to access our ballot and have our voices heard,” said Esteban Garces, co-executive director of Poder Latinx.