Contact: Jess Davidson at jdavidson@aapd.com
WASHINGTON, DC – on Thursday, June 8, the United States Supreme Court issued a decision in a Supreme Court case of interest to voting rights in Allen v. Milligan.
The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) released the following statement in response:
AAPD applauds the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the Voting Rights Act in Allen v. Milligan, which struck down a voting map in Alabama. The map created only one district where Black voters were the majority. The 5-4 decision upheld the Voting Rights Act by acknowledging that the maps did not give voters of color equal voting power. Now, Alabama state officials must redraw the state’s congressional map.
This ruling has positive impacts across the country for voters of color, as there are many similar voting rights cases active in other states. Had the Court decided to accept the map, it would have been even more difficult for Black disabled voters in the South to access their own vote and have equal opportunity to elect a candidate that reflects their interests.
AAPD President and CEO Maria Town said, “I am thrilled that the Voting Rights Act, which is vital for disabled voters — and all marginalized and multiply marginalized voters to access and assert their rights at the ballot box, was upheld today.
When any community has its voting rights restricted, disabled people are affected. We are everywhere, in every single community. When Black communities in the South, where some of the highest concentrations of disabled people live, have their voting rights restricted, Black disabled voters experience even more barriers to vote than they already do.
There are many forces across the U.S. working fiercely against voters of color, especially Black voters. In a time when the nation’s highest court has often made decisions detrimental to the daily lives and vital rights of disabled people and people of color, this decision gives me hope.”