Attorney General Jay Jones responded on May 16 to the United States Supreme Court’s decision denying Virginia’s Petition for Emergency Relief in Scott v. McDougle.
The statement from Jones addresses concerns about voting rights and the impact of recent court decisions on the electoral process. He said, “Today’s one-sentence denial from the Supreme Court of the United States is yet another profoundly troubling example of the continued national attack on voting rights and the rule of law by Donald Trump, Republican state legislatures, and conservative courts. It leaves in place the deeply flawed ruling from the Supreme Court of Virginia, which overturned the results of a lawful election and erased the will of millions of Virginia voters.”
Jones further said, “Let’s be clear about what is happening. Donald Trump, Republican state legislatures, and conservative courts are systematically and unabashedly tilting power away from the people for Trump’s political gain. Just this past month in Louisiana, Tennessee, and South Carolina, they have redrawn their maps and diluted Black political representation because it threatens their hold on power.” He added that these actions represent a coordinated effort to secure political advantage before upcoming elections.
According to Jones: “This attack is not subtle. It is a coordinated effort to stack the deck in the Republican’s favor before the midterms, lock in political advantage, and make it harder for voters, especially Black voters and communities of color, to hold Trump and his allies accountable. There can be no doubt: Trump and his allies want only their most politically extreme supporters to have their voices heard in Washington. The Supreme Court of Virginia’s previous decision and today’s refusal by the United States Supreme Court to act are only bolstering these extreme MAGA voices.”
He also emphasized that Virginians had voted for leaders who would defend democratic processes: “Virginians demanded elected leaders who would fight back against these attacks on our democracy and on our freedoms. Those elected leaders followed the law and constitutional process, ultimately giving Virginia voters the choice to join the fight on redistricting and choose representatives who reflect their values in Congress. More than three million Virginians made their voices heard at the ballot box, and a majority voted ‘yes.’”
The Attorney General supports civil rights enforcement programs while providing legal counsel across state agencies; he also offers services such as consumer protection resources addressing identity theft or fraud reporting according to information provided by his official website.
Jones concluded with: “This fight is far from over, and I am committed to fighting alongside you. I will be on the campaign trail, working tirelessly to support our Democratic candidates so we can win control of the House in spite of Republicans putting their thumbs on the scale.”
