Voting and Civil Rights Groups Respond to Flawed Trial Court Opinion on New York Voting Rights Act
November 8, 2024
CONTACT
LDF Media, [email protected]
Ella Wiley, ACLU, [email protected]
Sarai Bejarano, LatinoJustice PRLDEF, [email protected]
Kaye Dyja, NYCLU, [email protected]
AALDEF Media, [email protected]
Rebecca Autrey, Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law, [email protected]
On Nov. 7, a New York State Supreme Court trial judge in Orange County issued an opinion striking down the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act of New York (NYVRA). Today, the Legal Defense Fund (LDF), American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), LatinoJustice PRLDEF, Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF), New York American Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU), and Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law issued the following statement in response to the ruling:
“The NYVRA is unquestionably constitutional, and protects the freedom to vote for all New Yorkers by helping to ensure voters are not subjected to discrimination when participating in the political process.
“The Nov. 7 decision by a state trial judge is deeply flawed and plainly incorrect. We fully expect the decision to be reversed on appeal. It flies in the face of basic legal principles and constitutes a stunning overreach in striking down the entire law, including provisions that are not at issue in the case.
“To put it simply, the NYVRA does not discriminate, it bans discrimination – and in doing so protects New Yorkers’ most fundamental right.
“New York is stronger when everyone has an equal opportunity to vote.”
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Grupos de derechos civiles y electorales responden a la opinión errónea de un tribunal sobre la Ley de Derechos Electorales de Nueva York
El 7 de noviembre, un juez de primera instancia de la Corte Suprema del estado de Nueva York en el condado de Orange emitió una opinión que anulaba la Ley de Derechos Electorales John R. Lewis de Nueva York (NYVRA). Hoy, Legal Defense Fund (LDF), American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), LatinoJustice PRLDEF, Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF), New York American Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) y Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law emitieron la siguiente declaración en respuesta al fallo:
“La NYVRA es incuestionablemente constitucional y protege la libertad del voto de todos los neoyorquinos al ayudar a garantizar que los votantes no sean objeto de discriminación cuando participan en el proceso político.
“La decisión del 7 de noviembre de un juez es profundamente defectuosa y claramente incorrecta. Esperamos plenamente que la decisión sea revocada en apelación. Va en contra de los principios jurídicos básicos y constituye una sorprendente extralimitación al anular toda la ley, incluidas las disposiciones que no están en cuestión en el caso.
“En pocas palabras, la NYVRA no discrimina, prohíbe la discriminación y, al hacerlo, protege el derecho más fundamental de los neoyorquinos.
“Nueva York es más fuerte cuando todos tienen la misma oportunidad de votar”.
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About LatinoJustice
LatinoJustice PRLDEF works to create a more just society by using and challenging the rule of law to secure transformative, equitable and accessible justice, by empowering our community and by fostering leadership through advocacy and education. For over 50 years, LatinoJustice PRLDEF has acted as an advocate against injustices throughout the country. To learn more about LatinoJustice, visit www.LatinoJustice.org