Victory for Democracy: Court Upholds Section 2, Protecting Black Voting Rights

Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights applauds the decision in Allen v. Milligan by the U.S. Supreme Court upholding Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act and rejecting an attempt to undermine one of our most important Civil Rights laws.  

Today, the U.S. Supreme Court has taken a stance in support of Black voters and voters of color. The Court mandated that Alabama redraw its congressional map to ensure compliance with Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. This landmark decision marks a significant step forward in safeguarding democracy for all Americans.  

Black Americans have endured many systemic barriers to their access and participation in the democratic process, including literacy tests, poll taxes, felony disenfranchisement, and other restrictions to deny them the right to vote. Lawmakers who have the power to draw maps have often ignored the perspectives of Black and Brown communities, resulting in the dilution of their power during redistricting, including here in the Midwest. Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act prohibits voting practices that discriminate against individuals based on their race. The Supreme Court rejected the state of Alabama’s attempt to hide behind “color-blind” excuses that lead to unequal outcomes for Black voters.  

Over the past ten years, one Supreme Court decision after another narrowed the possibility of relief under the Voting Rights Act, creating challenges for voters of color. Today’s decision recognized the need to protect communities of color from vote dilution, but significant barriers to voting rights still remain.  

Ami Gandhi, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Midwest Voting Rights Program, said, “Efforts to dilute the Black vote are deeply entrenched within the fabric of American history, and such discrimination persists to this day. Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights has represented a number of Black-led community organizations in redistricting cases, organizations on the ground who have long been fighting an uphill battle against vote dilution. We remain steadfast in our mission to protect the rights of Black voters and voters of color.”  

While the ruling preserves a fundamentally important tool in protecting voting rights for people of color, the nature of the case reminds us that there is much more work to do. Moving forward, Chicago Lawyers’ Committee’s Midwest Voting Rights Program will continue to strengthen voting rights through community-based strategies, including: 

  • Providing legal support to our clients who build power in Black and Brown communities; 

  • Advocating for stronger laws and policies; 

  • Leading legal Election Protection efforts in Illinois and Indiana;  

  • Partnering with incarcerated and returning communities to expand voting rights; and 

  • Filing litigation to enforce and defend voting rights laws.  

The right to vote is fundamental to a healthy democracy. The case of Allen v. Milligan represents a significant milestone in the fight for voting rights. While we celebrate this win today, history has shown us that new barriers will undoubtedly arise, and Chicago Lawyers’ Committee is prepared to continue the fight. 

CLCCRUL