FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 1, 2021

MEDIA CONTACT

Sarah Garfinkel, sgarfinkel@westendstrategy.com; 202-765-4290

National Council of Jewish Women Dismayed by Supreme Court Voting Rights Decision, Vows to Fight to Ensure Equitable Access to the Ballot Box

WASHINGTON – In response to today’s Supreme Court decision in Brnovich v. Democratic National Committee National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) CEO Sheila Katz issued the following statement:

“Today’s decision by the Supreme Court in favor of Arizona’s restrictive voting laws will negatively impact voters across the country – particularly those who are already marginalized. By allowing the laws in Arizona to remain in place, the Court has further weakened the Voting Rights Act, and once more demonstrated the need for Congress to take action to pass the For The People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.

“The decision will embolden efforts across the country to cut early voting, reduce polling places, and collect absentee ballots, which as a result, brings voters, especially Latino, Asian American, Native American, and Black voters—some of whom states are deliberately targeting —more barriers than White voters to making their voices heard in local, state, and federal elections.  Justice Kagan summed up this disturbing turn of events by stating in her eloquently crafted dissent that, ‘By declaring some racially discriminatory burdens inconsequential, […] the majority enables voting discrimination.’

“Since our founding during the fight for women’s suffrage, National Council of Jewish Women has worked to ensure every eligible voter is able to register to vote, cast a ballot, and engage at all levels of government in a deep and meaningful way. Black and Brown voters showed up in record numbers to make their voices heard in the 2020 election despite the countless attempts of voter suppression during a pandemic. Today’s decision is a devastating reinforcement that our work to guarantee easy and equitable access to the ballot box is more urgent than ever. In order to promote our mission of supporting women, children, and families, we must ensure easy and equitable access to the ballot box. It is the literal foundation of our democracy.

“Right now, 48 states have introduced nearly 400 bills to restrict access to voting for millions of citizens. Given the assault on voting rights from the states, now given the green light by the Supreme Court, the need for new expansive federal protections is abundantly clear. We call on Congress to  pass the For The People Act and  the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to ensure that our elections can truly be free, fair, and accessible to all voters.”

National Council of Jewish Women Arizona Section President Civia Tamarkin added:

“It is at our core as an organization to ensure every eligible voter is able to register to vote, cast a ballot and engage in all levels of government in a deep and meaningful way. Voters from all backgrounds, ethnicities, and identities showed up in record numbers, including in Arizona, to make their voices heard in the 2020 election despite the countless attempts at voter suppression during a pandemic. Today’s decision is a sad reminder that our work to guarantee easy and equitable access to the ballot box is more urgent than ever.”

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National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is a grassroots organization of 200,000 volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms. Through a program of education, community service, and advocacy, our advocates across the country create lasting social change on our key issues of the federal courts; reproductive health, rights, and justice, and voter engagement. More information on Facebook and on Twitter at @NCJW.