Harris Criticizes Supreme Court Voting Rights Act Decision

Former Vice President Kamala Harris spoke on a Win With Black Women organizing call Wednesday about a recent Supreme Court decision that narrowed the Voting Rights Act. Harris said the decision allows discrimination to continue under the cover of political justifications. She focused in particular on developments in southern states.

“What they are doing is, they are backdooring racism behind politics to get to this decision and to justify them, what is happening in particular right now in all the southern states,” Harris said. The decision limits certain legal challenges to voting practices that may have discriminatory effects.

Organizers convened the call to mobilize participants following the ruling. Harris used the appearance to outline the implications of the narrowed legal standard for voting rights enforcement. The Voting Rights Act has been the subject of multiple Supreme Court cases over the past decade.

Wednesday's comments reflect ongoing debate about the law's application in election administration across states.