Contact: 

Staci Cox

(202) 225- 4572

 

 

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI-4) recognized the one year anniversary since the United States Supreme Court struck down a vital piece of the Voting Rights Act (VRA) of 1965. 

 

“It has been one year since the Supreme Court opened the door for states to disenfranchise and discriminate against voters,” said Rep. Moore. “This ruling, and the reluctance of Congress to strengthen the Voting Rights Act, pushed us miles backwards in our ongoing struggle towards equality.”

 

Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 requires certain jurisdictions, with a history of racial discrimination, to gain preclearance before altering voting laws. Section 4 of the VRA determined which areas of our nation must comply with Section 5. On June 25, 2013, the Supreme Court made Section 5 toothless by striking down Section 4’s formula. Our highest court charged Congress with updating Section 4. 

 

“America should serve as a powerful example of democracy; yet Republicans across the country are attempting to silence voters through restrictive voting laws. Since the 2010 election, states in nearly half of the country, including Wisconsin, have passed voting restriction laws. Restricting our ability to vote is a shame and an affront to American principles.

 

“The Voting Rights Act of 1965 is a vital piece of legislation that protects the centerpiece of our democracy – the right to vote. I am proud of the work my Wisconsin colleague, Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner (WI-5), has done to reauthorize this Act. I urge my colleagues to follow his lead and come together, as we have done in the past, to reauthorize the Voting Rights Act and fight against discrimination at the polls.”