Stacey Abrams on why the gutting of the Voting Rights Act is 'evil'

The Supreme Court’s recent rulings gutting the Voting Rights Act have effectively dismantled federal protections against racial disenfranchisement, signaling a regression toward pre-Civil Rights era conditions. This shift transforms the political landscape, as states like Tennessee move to eliminate majority-Black districts without federal oversight. Stacey Abrams emphasizes that while these legal setbacks are visceral and vicious, they are not unprecedented in American history. Rather than succumbing to despair, the focus must shift toward building long-term political power through grassroots organizing, voter registration, and holding elected officials accountable. Because the United States lacks an explicit, affirmative constitutional right to vote, the current struggle is not merely a partisan contest between Democrats and Republicans, but a fundamental battle between democratic inclusion and authoritarian consolidation. Sustained engagement and the strategic use of legal and electoral systems remain essential to preserving democratic integrity.