Tallian Slams Supreme Court Decision Gutting Voting Rights Act

INDIANAPOLIS - Today, the United States Supreme Court ruled that Louisiana's congressional map constitutes a "racial gerrymander", and overturned both of the state's two majority-Black congressional districts in a 6-3 decision.

This decision significantly narrows Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, passed in 1965. Section 2 guaranteed the rights of minority voters to fair representation, and stopped politicians from intentional discrimination against minority communities to dilute their vote.

While reports show it could wipe away at least 12 majority-minority districts in the South, its impacts in Indiana could lead to the dismantling of state legislative and local council districts drawn to represent minority voters.

"This decision is shameful. The architects of the Voting Rights Act clearly meant for it to protect African American voters and communities from having their voices silenced or diluted, like they had been for decades before," Tallian said. "It was a landmark piece of legislation that sought to guarantee minorities equal representation and protect every citizen's right to vote.

"This decision by the Supreme Court overturned decades of precedent which had solidified the VRA, and led to minority representation being elected all across the country. The Court has allowed the voices of millions of Americans to be silenced once again, and set our republic back decades toward a Jim Crow-era reality for minority representation.

"This is yet another decision favoring a Trump-backed lawsuit designed to erode the rights of Americans to have an equal say in our government. Now more than ever we reaffirm our commitment to fair maps, strong voting protections, and equal representation for every Hoosier and American citizen. The stakes are too high to back down."

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