For Immediate Release
June 27, 2019
Media Contact:
Janine Walsh, Communications Coordinator
(203) 685-1856
walsh@franciscanaction.org
Franciscans React to Mixed Results For Democracy at the Supreme Court
Partisan Gerrymandering Stands; Hopeful that Citizenship Question Remains Off Census
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Franciscan Action Network (FAN) reacts with mixed feelings to today’s two democracy rulings at the Supreme Court, both of which were turned back to lower courts. In the first ruling, the Court denies that federal courts have a role to play in decisions on partisan gerrymandering. The second ruling keeps the citizenship question off the 2020 census, for now. The debate about adding the question has been returned to the Dept. of Commerce to provide more of an explanation for its addition. Even so, FAN is hopeful it remains off the final document.
All U.S. Americans deserve an equal say in our democracy and all residents deserve to be counted regardless of status as outlined in our Constitution. Voting and the census count are essential functions of our democracy and should be able to be accomplished without fear and with respect for the human dignity of each person.
“While FAN welcomes today’s census decision, we are disappointed in the partisan gerrymandering decision,” said FAN Associate Director Sr. Marie Lucey, OSF. “As Pope Francis calls upon all people of faith and goodwill to ‘meddle in politics’ we will continue to work to ensure that all Americans have equal access to vote and that the 2020 census is a fair and accurate count of all people living in our country.”
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