WASHINGTON, D.C., May 22 – Alliance for Justice President Nan Aron released the following statement in response to today’s 5-3 Supreme Court decision in Cooper v. Harris, which held that North Carolina’s redistricting plan was an unconstitutional gerrymander because “racial considerations predominated” when the state legislature drew up two of its congressional districts.
“We applaud today’s ruling by the Supreme Court, which upholds the equal protection guarantee of the Constitution and the promise of the Voting Rights Act. Voting is a critical right of citizenship. Any attempt to dilute the impact of a vote on the basis of the voter’s race is abhorrent and has no place in our democracy. The Court’s decision today helps ensure that every eligible citizen will have an opportunity to have his or her voice heard at the ballot box.”