PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 1, 2021
Salt Lake City, UT – Today, the United States Supreme Court dealt another blow to the freedom to vote in Brnovich v DNC by upholding Arizona’s discriminatory voting laws and weakening Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act to make future challenges against anti-voter laws even more difficult.
Lauren Simpson, policy director for Alliance for a Better Utah, issued the following statement:
“Whatever our color, background or zip code, in America we value our freedom to vote without discrimination and without intimidation. In Utah, with some exceptions in San Juan County, Republicans have intentionally expanded the freedom to vote for all people. Meanwhile, their colleagues across the country are choosing to go the opposite direction.
“The U.S. Supreme Court had an opportunity to protect our freedom to vote, but instead allowed Arizona lawmakers to put up barriers to silence voters’ voices based on what they look like or where they live, while making it even more difficult to challenge discriminatory voting laws in the future.
“Just last week, Senators Mitt Romney and Mike Lee both voted against even allowing debate on an essential piece of legislation: the For the People Act. This bill, in combination with the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, would enact national standards to prevent future attacks on our freedoms. Senators Romney and Lee both benefit from Utah’s good voting laws, but refuse to extend those same freedoms to the rest of the nation. They should know better, especially at a time when voting rights are under attack.
###
Alliance for a Better Utah is a nonprofit that holds politicians accountable and advocates for progressive policies that make Utah an even better place. The organization improves the lives of all Utahns through advocacy, transparency, and accountability in Utah politics, policy, and government. More information at www.betterutah.org.