Jun 18, 2013 - Latino Leaders Welcome Supreme Court Decision in Arizona Voting Rights Case

Court Rules in Arizona v. Inter Tribal Council of Arizona That State Cannot Require Voters Provide Documentary Proof of Citizenship

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION
June 18, 2013

Washington, D.C. -- The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA), a coalition of 36 of the nation’s preeminent Latino organizations, welcomed yesterday's decision by the U.S. Supreme Court that struck down an Arizona law requiring voters provide documents proving their citizenship. The decision in Arizona v. Inter Tribal Council of Arizona requires states to accept and use the federal voter registration form under the National Voter Registration Act of 1993.

"This Arizona law was always a very poor solution in search of a non-existent problem; there has never been a showing of non-citizen voting of any significance in Arizona or elsewhere," stated Thomas A. Saenz, President and General Counsel of MALDEF, which is an NHLA member and which filed the first case challenging the law. "Today's Supreme Court decision establishes that no state may enact unnecessary registration requirements that deter participation by eligible voters."

“While Prop 200 was mostly designed to make life difficult for immigrants living in Arizona, it suppressed all citizens’ voting rights, as well,” said Juan Cartagena, President and General Counsel, LatinoJustice PRLDEF. “During the recent election we saw many attempts to restrict the voting rights of Latinos and this is just another bite at the apple. These laws strike at the fundamental rights that we extend to all citizens in this country.”

“The past several years have seen a disturbing trend of state legislation designed to supress voter turnout and discourage or prevent American citizens from registering to vote. These dispicable laws go against every ideal of our nation. The Supreme Court's decision today strikes down one instance of this voter supression trend. We welcome the decision and urge lawmakers and courts across the nation to put democracy ahead of political games and unabashed discrimination,” said Hector Sanchez, Chair of NHLA and Executive Director of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA).

Established in 1991, the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA) brings together Hispanic leaders to establish policy priorities that address, and raise public awareness of, the major issues affecting the Latino community and the nation as a whole. For more information, please visit www.nationalhispanicleadership.org and LatinosUnited.org and follow @NHLAgenda.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

| Melody Gonzales | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | (202) 508-6917 |

| Brenda Arredondo | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | (915) 373-1483 |

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