MONTGOMERY, Alabama — The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) condemns President Trump’s call over the weekend to intentionally limit Americans’ access to the ballot box. This latest threat to voting rights will harm rural, Black and Brown voters, exclude eligible voters from our elections and further threaten American democracy.

“With the ongoing wave of gerrymandering sweeping the nation and efforts to end mail-in voting, the Trump administration’s goals are clear: take away the voting power of Black, Brown and rural communities,” said Avner Shapiro, senior supervising attorney, SPLC. “Voting is a fundamental right in this nation that must be protected and cherished. These constant attacks on voting are un-American and are reminiscent of the darkest and most exclusionary times in this nation’s history. 

“Instead of undermining the right to vote, the federal government should enact prohibitions against partisan gerrymandering, restore, strengthen and enforce the critical protections of the Voting Rights Act.  We also should encourage states to invest in more voting locations, expand early voting opportunities and reduce barriers to registration. If the president pushes ahead with his anti-democratic agenda and issues an executive order barring mail-in voting, SPLC will fight back to ensure elections remain fair and free and all eligible voters have access.”

Attempts to end mail-in voting and require limited forms of strict government-issued proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote in federal elections have been deemed unconstitutional in April and June by federal judges.  In our democracy, states largely determine the rules for voting.

###

About the Southern Poverty Law Center

The Southern Poverty Law Center is a catalyst for racial justice in the South and beyond, working in partnership with communities to dismantle white supremacy, strengthen intersectional movements and advance the human rights of all people. For more information, visit www.splcenter.org.