AAPIVote responds to the Supreme Court’s decision in Allen v Milligan.
WASHINGTON D.C. – Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote responds to the Supreme Court’s decision in Allen v Milligan, which reaffirmed state government cannot limit voting on the basis of race, including through “vote dilution." The Supreme Court issued its decision on Allen v. Milligan on June 8, 2023 that Alabama had discriminated against Black voters when the state legislature redrew Congressional district boundaries after the 2020 census. Alabama must now draw a second majority-Black district while redrawing its congressional maps.This case upheld section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which prohibits state and local government from imposing any voting rule that hinders the right of voters on account of race, color, or membership in a language minority group. “The Supreme Court’s decision to strike down Alabama’s discriminatory maps and uphold section 2 of the Voting Rights Act will not only empower Black Alabamans, but for voters of color across the country – including Asian Americans and Pacific Islander voters,” said Christine Chen, Executive Director of Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote.”
ADVERTISEMENT “We too often see states disenfranchise minority voters to dilute our power – Alabama’s congressional maps are far from the only example. For example, Texas’ latest congressional maps divided up the center of the state’s Asian American population across multiple districts – despite the community having long-held roots in the region. The issue of voter suppression, whether it is racial gerrymandering or restricting our ability to vote in general, directly impacts our communities and our ability to advocate for ourselves.” “Today, we celebrate this victory in the fight for voting rights. Tomorrow, we must continue our movement to organize and advocate for laws and maps that empower all voters and secure our democracy – no matter your race, color, gender, or zip code.”
Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote) is the nation’s leading nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to engaging, educating, and empowering Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities to strengthen and sustain a culture of civic engagement.
U.S. Representative and Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus also released this statement following the Court decision:
Source: US Representative Judy Chu
Asian Americans Advancing Justice released this statement:
“Today’s Supreme Court ruling in Allen v. Milligan is a testament to the unwavering resolve of Alabama voters, Black community groups, and civil rights organizations to uphold the fundamental right to our voting power and to reject the efforts by some politicians to pick their voters.
“The court’s decision and affirmation of Section 2 precedent sends a clear message to state lawmakers seeking to discriminate against Black, Asian, Latine, Indigenous, and allied communities of color that even with the absence of the VRA’s Section 5 preclearance, gutted ten years ago by the Shelby County v. Holder decision, they are on notice to ensure that voters of color will not be manipulated, diminished, or denied the power of their vote.
“As politicians who want to rule over us, not represent us, seek to pass more voter suppression laws, communities across our country are mobilizing to protect their voting power and to expose efforts to discriminate in our elections and redistricting.
“We stand together in solidarity with Black communities, who led this important challenge to defend our fundamental rights, and join with them and allied communities of color in resisting and countering any efforts aimed at undermining our voting power. Whether we call Alabama or Virginia, Illinois or California home, we all deserve the freedom to elect the representatives who will fight for the solutions we need for a better life.”
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