LULAC Says Supreme Court Ruling Is A Wake-Up Call For Greater Voter Education
Nation’s Oldest and Largest Latino Civil Rights Organization Says 6-3 Decision Must be Overcome Through More Training
Washington, DC - The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) issued the following statement after a U.S. Supreme Court decision Thursday struck a blow that some legal scholars predict will affect Latinos and Blacks disproportionately. The court majority in its opinion ruled that ballots may be thrown out if a voter is at the wrong precinct. Also, the court ruling upholds the law that makes it illegal for people other than family members, caregivers, and elections officials to take a person’s ballot to a voting precinct when the voter is unable to do so.
Domingo Garcia - LULAC National President
“It’s clear that this Supreme Court decision is a direct attack on the voting rights of Latinos and Blacks who very often do not have all the voting information provided to them, especially when precincts are moved or closed and they go to the wrong one. Instead of elections officials working to address the misinformation or lack of it and direct people to the right precinct, this will deny many of our voters their right to cast a ballot. The same is true with community volunteers trying to increase voter turnout, not telling people how to vote. All they’re doing is helping get votes turned in when people can’t drive or don’t even own a car!”
Sindy Benavides - LULAC National Chief Executive Officer
“LULAC is a non-partisan organization and education is the cornerstone of our mission since our founding 92 years ago. For decades we have seen voter suppression in many forms and we will not stand idle as we see our community's voting power suppressed. This ruling makes it imperative for us and other legacy civil rights organizations to continue at a larger scale our voter training and education programs that can help Latino voters become better informed. We still believe that the 1965 Voting Rights Act is crucial to protect the voice of our electorate. Our task now is to confront the challenge through advocacy and community programs that build knowledge as our answer.”
John David Arnold, Ph.D - LULAC of Arizona State Director
“It’s a no-brainer that poll workers are there to be a guide, sort things out and help voters who need information. However, education evokes opportunity and our advantage is that Latino voters are younger and will make better choices by talking to everyone. This ruling opens the door for us to become more interested, learn the process better, and make decisions based upon what helps our community, not a party.”
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About LULAC
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation’s largest and oldest Hispanic civil rights volunteer-based organization that empowers Hispanic Americans and builds strong Latino communities. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 1,000 councils around the United States and Puerto Rico, LULAC’s programs, services, and advocacy address the most important issues for Latinos, meeting the critical needs of today and the future. For more information, visit https://lulac.org/
