The Catskill Chronicle

WASHINGTON, DC & NEW YORK STATE (June 25, 2013) – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand issued the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a key part of the Voting Rights Act:

“The Voting Rights Act has been a cornerstone of ensuring the rights won in the Civil Rights movement continue to stand strong today. The Supreme Court’s ruling is a significant setback that will put Congress to the test of whether we can move quickly and without partisanship. I urge my colleagues to meet that test. 

“We must be clear — The Voting Rights Act is not ancient history. Just last year alone, Section 5 helped prevent discrimination across the country – on issues ranging from state ID’s to redistricting and reducing early voting. Voting is a sacred right and ensuring that every vote counts is a cornerstone of our democracy that must be embraced by both sides of the aisle.

“The last time Congress reauthorized the Voting Rights Act in 2006, it was passed for the fourth time with sweeping bipartisan majorities in both houses of Congress. We must come together once again to ensure that every American has the fundamental right to vote regardless of which community they live in.”

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Statement from Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

Today’s decision by the United States Supreme Court to strike down Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act is deeply troubling. Here in New York, upholding the voting rights of all people, regardless of race or ethnicity, is paramount to our democracy. We must double down on efforts to ensure that the voices of all voters can be heard at the voting booth. I urge Congress to take immediate steps to amend Section 4, which will prevent voter disenfranchisement and ensure fair elections.