1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

The Supreme Court’s recent decision in Callais v. Louisiana has effectively dismantled Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, following the earlier gutting of Section 5 in Shelby County v. Holder. This ruling represents a significant rollback of voting rights protections that have been essential to preventing racial discrimination in access to the ballot. The decision raises serious concerns about the Court’s legitimacy and impartiality. The reasoning employed appears to prioritize partisan outcomes over consistent constitutional interpretation, and international observers have noted the troubling implications of this ruling for American democracy. I am writing to urge Congress to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act to restore the protections that have been stripped away. These protections are fundamental to ensuring equal access to voting for all Americans, regardless of race. I also believe Congress should carefully examine potential reforms to the Supreme Court to restore public confidence in the judiciary as an impartial arbiter of constitutional questions rather than a partisan institution. The late Congressman John Lewis dedicated his life to protecting voting rights. Congress now has an opportunity to honor that legacy by taking concrete action to safeguard the constitutional principle of equal access to the ballot box for all citizens.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​