CSJ ISSUES STATEMENT ON VOTING RIGHTS

Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio (ULGSO) supports the Supreme Court's decision to stand against voter suppression in the Alabama Voting Rights case. While we are relieved that the desired outcome was reached in this instance, it is crucial to recognize that the fight against voter suppression is far from over. The narrow 5/4 decision underscores the precarious nature of voting rights and highlights the need for immediate action to avoid disastrous consequences in potential cases to come.

Speaking on the Alabama Voting Rights case, ULGSO's Managing Director of the Center for Social Justice (CSJ) , Gabriel Fletcher says “We share the concern that voter rights continue to be threatened and revoked nationwide, and we remain committed to protecting and expanding access to the ballot for all citizens.”

The Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio aligns itself with Urban League Affiliates across the country in solidarity with National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial's statement.

“[The Supreme Court's] decision is a welcome affirmation of the nation’s obligation to protect our most sacred Constitutional right and a rejection of the ongoing efforts to further dismantle voting rights protections in Alabama and across the country. As a civil rights organization dedicated to economic and social justice, we recognize that unfettered access to the ballot box is essential to achieving the equitable, inclusive, “more perfect union” that we seek.

“While [this] decision was a win for democracy, it is not enough. We urge the swift consideration and passage of comprehensive voting rights reform measures, including the  John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act , which would restore the full protections of the Voting Rights Act. We look forward to seeing the other decisions that the Supreme Court issues that could potentially impact civil rights protections and democracy – including the gerrymandering case  Moore v. Harper  – moving forward.” 

The impact of gerrymandering in elections is undeniable and may have serious implications for our future. Currently, the protection of voting liberties in the State of Ohio is still a battleground even after Ohioans overwhelmingly passed an amendment to the state’s constitution in 2018 to curb gerrymandering. Unfortunately, the will of the people has yet to be realized, leading to a series of cases arguing the new legislative maps violated Ohio’s constitutional ban on partisan gerrymandering.

On July 19, 2022, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled against the current map and ordered a new map to be drawn within 30 days. Ultimately, the maps were used in the November 8, 2022, elections and have yet to be revised. With no revisions, the map remains for current and future local, state, and federal elections inclusive of the 2024 Presidential Elections.

Since the map drafted by the legislature was found unconstitutional, determination of the map is drawn by the Ohio Redistricting Commission. Currently, members of the commission include elected lawmakers, and state officeholders. Retired Ohio Supreme Court Justice Maureen O’Connor described the current map as “unconstitutional” and prior to retirement played a major role in ruling against politically suppressive gerrymandering tactics in Ohio. “When the elections are happening with the use of those maps, it’s gonna keep going. The same people are gonna get elected and they’re gonna have the same agendas and they’re gonna have the same path going forward.” O’Connor said.

Fletcher adds, “ Ohio, like Alabama and several other states, serves as a constant reminder that citizens must remain engaged, vigilant, and action oriented in the protection of their rights."