STATEMENT: Jocelyn Benson on Supreme Court Decision to Weaken the Voting Rights Act
Following today’s Supreme Court’s decision to weaken Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, gubernatorial candidate and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson released the below statement:
“Today’s decision is a slap in the face to democracy. Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act is one of the most important tools we have to ensure the ‘one person, one vote’ protections in our Constitution are made real for every American. The Court’s decision to weaken it is an insult to the millions who fought and bled during the civil rights movement, and will have disastrous consequences for communities of color across the country.
“It also reminds us how important it is to have state leaders in this moment who take seriously our moral responsibility to protect every citizen’s right to vote in free and fair elections. In Michigan, I’m proud that during my tenure as Secretary of State we’ve had back-to-back the highest turnout and most successful elections in our state’s history, but our work isn’t done. This U.S. Supreme Court decision creates renewed urgency to pass the Michigan Voting Rights Act to always ensure every Michigan citizen can freely and fairly participate in our elections. As governor, I will continue to champion and defend our democracy and am prepared to stand up to any effort — at the state or federal level — that threatens Michiganders’ voices. And I will continue to ensure our state is a leader in protecting democracy for all.”
###