“The decision by the Supreme Court to refuse to reconsider North Carolina’s discriminatory voting law, which was previously struck down by the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, is an important victory for the people of North Carolina and for advocates across the county who believe our electoral process should be fair, just and give every American equal access to the polls. Often disguised as an attempt to prevent virtually nonexistent voter fraud, laws like North Carolina’s disproportionately and often intentionally target African-Americans and other marginalized groups. In fact, the lower courts determined that this particular law targeted African Americans with “almost surgical precision.” Such laws are a shameful continuation of the legacy of Jim Crow that progressive Jews helped resist through their participation in the Civil Rights Movement.

“Despite this victory, similar discriminatory laws remain in place across the country, and lawsuits challenging them will undoubtedly make their way to the Supreme Court. With President Trump’s launch of his new commission tasked with addressing alleged voter fraud, headed by a man who wrote the book on restrictive, needless voter suppression laws,  it’s clear that his administration is determined to make it more difficult for people—especially people of color and low-income Americans—to exercise their fundamental right to vote. We will continue to speak out against voter suppression wherever and whenever it occurs.”

For more information about Bend the Arc Jewish Action’s work, contact Elliot Levy at [email protected] or 202-800-7409.

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