WASHINGTON, D.C. - The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) condemns the recent decision issued by the Supreme Court affecting Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act (VRA) of 1965. The Voting Rights Act is a landmark federal law enacted to prohibit discrimination in voting and to protect equal rights and representation within the democratic process. Section 2 specifically serves as one of the most important safeguards of the voting process by allowing challenges to redistricting and other practices that dilute the voting strength of historically underrepresented communities.

The Supreme Court’s ruling, in which Justice Elena Kagen wrote in her dissent “threatens a half-century’s worth of gains in voting equality,” weakens Section 2 by narrowing how protections related to district mapping and voting systems may be applied and enforced by the courts moving forward. This decision follows years of legal and legislative battles that have attempted to weaken voting rights and political strength of communities at the federal and state level.

For IATSE members, the implications are real. The conditions under which members work are shaped by elected leadership at every level. Entertainment industry workers are deeply impacted by public policy decisions that affect worker protections like workplace safety standards, collective bargaining rights, unemployment systems, workforce development, infrastructure, and arts funding that sustains jobs across IATSE crafts. Policies that affect members’ jobs and families are directly shaped by the people elected to represent their communities.

IATSE members live and work across the country in major entertainment and live event growth regions where issues related to voter access and representation are highly consequential. IATSE membership is multiracial, multi-generational, geographically diverse, and frequently mobile across regions. These factors have historically created barriers to voting access and equal political representation. Protecting the VRA, including Section 2, is a civil rights issue and directly aligned with IATSE’s DEI commitments to equity, inclusion, and fair representation for marginalized communities.

Worker power and political representation have always been interconnected. History has shown that attacks on political representation have often gone hand-in-hand with anti-union policies including wage suppression, weakened labor protections and exclusion from economic opportunity.

The decision by the Supreme Court raises serious concerns when it comes to political representation. Over time, changes in political representation can drastically shape the laws, labor standards, and economic opportunities that affect working people. Ultimately, it matters who has a seat at the table and how they are elected.

Protecting worker rights and the representation of working people requires continued solidarity, participation, and engagement across our industry and communities. IATSE encourages members to stay informed on voting access, registration requirements, and legislative developments that may affect working people and their families. IATSE’s strength has always depended on an informed and engaged membership standing together in solidarity to protect the rights, safety, and working conditions of all people across our industries and communities.