Pallone Commends Supreme Court Decision in Favor of One Person One Vote

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) commended the Supreme Court for unanimously deciding that states may count all residents, whether or not they are eligible to vote, in drawing election districts. The decision effectively upholds the “one person, one vote” principle.

“Given the Supreme Court’s previous ruling weakening the Voting Rights Act, I am now encouraged that the court ruled in favor of expanding American democracy rather than restricting it,” said Pallone. “The principle of ‘one person, one vote’, is fundamental to our democracy and this decision will help prevent partisan attempts by states to disenfranchise voters based on their demographics or voter registration status. This decision makes it more likely that groups such as low-income and minority families will be accounted for in the drawing of election districts.

“In its most basic form, the struggle over the right to vote is between those who wish to expand access to the ballot box and those who wish to restrict it. This unanimous decision by justices appointed by both Democratic and Republican presidents sends a resounding message to opponents of voting rights throughout our country. Congress must now build on this victory by restoring the Voting Rights Act so that Americans can fully participate in our democracy through the basic right to vote.”

Pallone is a co-sponsor of the Voting Rights Advancement Act, which would strengthen the law and restore the key enforcement provision of the Voting Rights Act invalidated by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2013.