U.S. Supreme Court Denies Protection of Section Two of the Voting Rights Act

The Supreme Court has undercut the Voting Rights Act rolling back generations of progress by civil rights leaders and heroes like Congressman John Lewis, Fannie Lou Hamer, Dorothy Height and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King who worked diligently for decades to establish one of the most important protections against racial discrimination in voting.

The Supreme Court’s recent 6-3 ruling sends an alarming and dangerous message throughout the United States that longstanding patterns of discrimination may be insulated from meaningful accountability. It invites a political world where map-drawing and election rules become tools of domination rather than instruments of shared governance.

In practice, it means millions of Black, Brown and Indigenous people will have less of a political voice and representation as politicians now have a green light to draw districts that serve themselves instead of representing the entire public even more than before. It means elections will be decided before a single vote is cast.

The UMC General Board of Church and Society (GBCS) and the General Commission on Religion and Race (GCORR) recognize the Supreme Court’s decision to severely gut the enforcement and constitutionality of Section Two of the Voting Rights Act and remind all United Methodist of our social witness responsibility.

GBCS and GCORR call on all United Methodists to stand in solidarity with those most affected by the weakening of the Voting Rights Act. As United Methodists, we believe justice is sacred work. Protecting the voice of every person is not only a civic duty, but a spiritual mandate, including committing ourselves to the ongoing work of dismantling systemic racism in all its forms.

The United Methodist Church 2025–2028 Social Principles are clear about what faithful public life requires. “We declare that all individuals are entitled to basic human rights and freedoms, and we commit as a Church to reform the structures of society to ensure that every human being can thrive.” (The United Methodist Social Principles, Basic Rights and Freedoms, The Political Community)

The Voting Rights Act is a testament to the courage of those who marched, prayed, and organized for a more just democracy. As a denomination, The United Methodist Church has been shaped by that same movement. Many United Methodists stood on the front lines of the struggle for civil rights, grounded in a faith that calls us to affirm the dignity and worth of every person.

This is Not a Moment to Give in to Frustration or Fear

Our system doesn’t have to be this way. We have the power to use and where necessary change the political system. We have the power to drive reforms, legislation, and where called for constitutional amendments. It is a time to be bold and united to bring fairness to our Democracy.

We have to encourage and support leaders in Congress who understand the high stakes and are ready to do what it takes to reclaim power for all the people, even as the Supreme Court acts to strip it away from the most disenfranchised.

We can have a stronger Democracy with fair representation, but only if people choose to stay engaged to take action and continue to work aggressively for a better system.

Stay Engaged and Take Action

• Tell Congress and state leaders to pursue stronger statutory protections for voting rights
• Push faith communities to intensify nonpartisan voter protection, education, and turnout efforts
• Vote and encourage others to vote in the 2026 mid-term elections for candidates who believe in an equitable voting and representation system
• Treat this moment as a summons for moral resistance, rooted in love of neighbor and a refusal to accept democracy for some and disenfranchisement for others