LWV Reacts to Supreme Court Decision on the National Voter Registration Act

Press Release / Last Updated: June 17, 2013

SIGNIFICANT VICTORY FOR VOTERS

IN SUPREME COURT DECISION

Arizona v. ITCA Decision Protects Voter Registration Process from Political Manipulation

Washington, D.C. – “Today’s Supreme Court decision in the case Arizona v. ITCA, Inc. is a strong decision protecting voters,” said Elisabeth MacNamara, President of the League of Women Voters of the U.S.

“The decision is a strong endorsement of Congress’ power under the Elections Clause. In this case, Arizona overstepped by imposing restrictions on the voter registration process,” said MacNamara.

“State restrictions lost: Voters won today,” said MacNamara.

“Arizona wrongfully rejected thousands of voter registration applications,” said MacNamara. “The Court ruled that this was inconsistent with the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA).”

“The Court’s ITCA decision safeguards the voter registration process from political manipulation and will help block attempts in the states to restrict the right to vote,” MacNamara said.

“In its decision, the Court also recognized the importance of interstate voter registration drives like those conducted by the League of Women Voters.”

Arizona v. ITCA is a critically important voting rights case that examines whether the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) prevents states from passing laws that restrict the voter registration process. In this case, the League of Women Voters of the U.S. submitted an amicus brief and the League of Women Voters of Arizona was a named plaintiff.

“The NVRA was intended to and has succeeded in bringing millions more citizens into the democratic process since its passage in 1993,” said MacNamara.

“Restrictions on the use of the national voter registration application form like those tried by Arizona make it much more difficult to register eligible citizens to vote,” MacNamara said. “Independent registration drives by citizen groups like the League are often the only effective means for some voters to get registered and participate in our great democracy.”

“The Court’s ITCA decision safeguards the voter registration process from political manipulation and will help block attempts in the states to restrict the right to vote,” MacNamara said.

“This is a victory for voters plain and simple but we will need to continue to fight against limitations on the voter registration process.” concluded MacNamara. “This is an extremely important ruling that says the U.S. Congress has the power and authority to protect our right to vote.”

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Contact: Kelly Ceballos, [email protected], 202-263-1331

The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. VOTE411.org is the place to go for the election information you need.

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Amicus Brief