We face a critical moment in our fight against gerrymandering. The Supreme Court is set to hand down decisions that could have far-reaching consequences for voting rights. And in states across the country, we’re up against power-hungry interests that will stop at nothing to maintain their grip on political power.
Democracy is designed for voters to hold the power to choose their leaders. But when Republicans use tactics like gerrymandering and voter suppression, it silences the people’s voice. After all, politicians don’t feel accountable to the people when they can win majority power with a minority of votes.
The North Carolina Supreme Court has overturned their previous decision in Harper v. Hall — ruling that partisan gerrymandering does not violate the state constitution.
It’s an unprecedented move overruling an earlier decision from only a few months ago. Let us be perfectly clear: Nothing about the underlying facts or applicable law has changed. The only thing that has changed is the makeup of the NC State Supreme Court since last November’s election.
“This shameful, delegitimizing decision to allow the unjust, blatant manipulation of North Carolina’s voting districts was not a function of legal principle, it was a function of political personnel and partisan opportunism. Neither the map nor the law have changed since last year’s landmark rulings – only the makeup of the majority of the North Carolina Supreme Court has changed.
“History will not be kind to this court’s majority, which will now forever be stained for irreparably harming the legitimacy and reputation of North Carolina’s highest tribunal. The eyes of the nation will now turn to the North Carolina legislature to see what further harm Republicans will do to undermine democracy in the state.”
For updates on the events in North Carolina, please join one of our upcoming events…
Ohio lawmakers have less than two weeks to decide whether or not to raise the voting threshold to change the Ohio constitution.
Earlier this year, republican lawmakers drafted House Joint Resolution 1 which would change the percentage needed to amend the constitution by a statewide ballot initiative to a supermajority of 60% from the current 50% plus one. The Ohio Senate passed their version of the amendment, Senate Joint Resolution 2, this month.
Both resolutions seek to make it harder for voters to amend the state constitution by increasing the approval threshold to amend the state constitution to 60% from a simple majority, which has the potential of stifling future redistricting reform efforts and protecting abortion rights.
Thank you for standing with us on what’s right and fighting to ensure that every voter has a fair shot, regardless of race or politics. Together we will continue our fight for fair maps!
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