For Immediate Release
May 1, 2026
Nonprofit VOTE Statement: Supreme Court Decision Weakens Our Democracy
The ruling in Louisiana v. Callais makes it harder for the public to be heard in the policies that shape their daily lives.
Boston, MA – In response to yesterday’s landmark Supreme Court decision in Louisiana v. Callais, Nonprofit VOTE warns the ruling will weaken representation for communities of color, including those served by nonprofits, and make it harder for those communities to be heard in the decisions that shape their lives.
Nonprofits work every day with people navigating challenges related to housing, health care, education, transportation, food access, public safety, disaster recovery, and economic opportunity, challenges often tied to systemic inequalities. These issues are shaped by public policy. When voting maps dilute the power of certain communities, the people most affected are pushed further from the decisions that impact them.
“Nonprofits see every day what happens when communities are excluded from power,” said Nonprofit VOTE Executive Director Brian Miller. “Our work reaches people who are often left out of the political process, and this decision makes that work more urgent. At a time when legal protections are being narrowed, community power matters more than ever.”
For decades, Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act has been a key tool for protecting fair representation. It helps ensure that Black, Latino, Native, Asian American, and other historically excluded communities have a meaningful opportunity to elect leaders who reflect their voices. By weakening that protection, the Court has made it easier for states to draw maps that diminish the voting power of communities of color and harder to challenge discriminatory redistricting.
Despite this setback, Nonprofit VOTE will continue working with partners across the country to support nonpartisan voter engagement and ensure that communities most affected by this decision have the tools and information they need to participate fully in our democracy. While this ruling will make that work harder, our commitment to building a more inclusive democracy remains unwavering.
For more information, please reach out to Nonprofit VOTE’s Communications Director Kelsea-Marie Pym, kelsea@nonprofitvote.org.
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Founded in 2006, Nonprofit VOTE celebrates 20 years of democracy-building and fostering a more inclusive democracy. By leveraging the vast reach and trusted relationships of nonprofits, Nonprofit VOTE aims to ensure all people are heard, particularly people currently underrepresented in the democratic process. Nonprofit VOTE provides nonpartisan resources to help nonprofits integrate voter engagement into their ongoing activities and services.
