Washington, D.C. (May 14, 2026) — Brent Booker, General President of the Laborers’ International Union of North America, issued the following statement:

The right to vote is the foundation of our democracy. The Supreme Court’s decision in Louisiana v. Callais weakens one of the most important protections in the Voting Rights Act and threatens the ability of historically marginalized communities to have their voices fairly represented.

 

For decades, Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act helped ensure that African American, Latino, and other historically underrepresented voters had a fair opportunity to elect representatives who reflect their communities. In the wake of this decision, states across the South are already moving to redraw congressional maps in ways that risk diluting the voting power of Black communities. Their actions are going so far as to disrupt election timelines and putting primary elections on hold to advance new district boundaries.

 

But this is not just about minority communities. This is about who we are as a country. When any American’s voice is diminished, our democracy is weakened. Efforts to make voting harder, dilute representation, or silence communities undermine the very principles our nation was built upon. Every American, regardless of race, background, or zip code, should have confidence that their vote matters and that their voice will be heard.

 

This ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court and these actions by many Southern states are a travesty and deal a blow to voting rights for all Americans. At a time when confidence in our institutions depends on participation and fairness, we should be strengthening the right to vote, not weakening it.

 

LIUNA will continue fighting to protect every voice at the ballot box and urges passage of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to restore and strengthen protections for voters across the country.

 

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The more than a half-million members of LIUNA – the Laborers’ International Union of North America – are on the forefront of the construction industry, a powerhouse of workers who are proud to build the U.S. and Canada.