The Supreme Court’s decision is at odds with recent history. The Voting Rights Act was vital in 2012, not just 1965. For nearly five decades, it has been the nation’s most effective tool to eradicate racial discrimination in voting. And it is still critical today.

Gov. John Hickenlooper signed a bill to modernize and improve Colorado’s voting system, adding Colorado to a growing list of states expanding voting rights across the country.

Tonight, the president spoke powerfully of the need to reform the way we run elections in America. His appointment of a new bipartisan commission is an important step. This should be a critical part of the larger mission of modernizing elections so every eligible citizen can vote and have that vote counted.

Following a presidential election marred by long lines and confusion at the polls, the Brennan Center for Justice highlighted a proposal today to modernize voter registration and bring America’s election system into the 21st century — just days after President Obama mentioned voting reform in his inaugural address.