Governor Tina Kotek reacts to Supreme Court decision, says ruling opens the door to voter suppression and marks major setback for voting rights

Oregon – Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek released a statement criticizing the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision impacting Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, calling it a major setback for voting rights protections across the country.

In her statement, Kotek described the ruling as a “profound betrayal” of the landmark law and the efforts of those who fought for its passage. She said the decision weakens safeguards intended to protect voters, particularly communities of color, and warned it could allow political leaders to redraw electoral maps in ways that consolidate power.

“The Supreme Court’s decision today is a profound betrayal of the Voting Rights Act and of the generations of Americans who marched, fought, and gave their lives to make it law,” Kotek said.

She also referenced former President Donald Trump, stating that the ruling aligns with efforts to roll back protections tied to the law. Kotek said the decision could open the door for policies that make it more difficult for certain groups to participate equally in elections.

“By stripping Section 2 of its meaning at President Trump’s urging, this Court has cleared a path for politicians to silence communities of color and redraw maps to entrench their own power,” she said. “This is an assault on the basic promise of American democracy.”

Kotek emphasized Oregon’s long-standing election policies, noting that the state has spent more than 25 years developing a system designed to prioritize voter access and participation. She indicated that state leaders would continue to defend those policies despite changes at the federal level.

“Oregon has spent more than a quarter century building an election system that puts voters first, and I won’t let President Trump, the Supreme Court, or anyone else turn back that progress,” Kotek said.

The governor concluded by reaffirming her stance on voting rights, saying all voters should have equal access to participate in elections and calling for unity in protecting those principles.

“Every voter in Oregon and across the country has the right to a free, fair, and equal say in our democracy, and we must stand together to keep that promise,” she said.

The Supreme Court’s decision and its broader implications are expected to continue drawing responses from state leaders and policymakers nationwide.