Restoration Tuesday: Alabama Ruling on Voter Registration Requiring Proof of Citizenship

Floor Speech

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Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, today on Restoration Tuesday, I rise to draw attention to U.S. District Judge Richard Leon's egregious ruling on June 29, 2016 allowing U.S. elections officials to change proof-of-citizenship requirements on the federal voting registration form at the request of Alabama, Kansas, and Georgia and without public notice. This ruling marks yet another example in a long line of restrictive voting practices used to suppress the right of eligible voters under the guise of circumventing voter fraud. This ruling means residents of Kansas, Georgia and Alabama will have to prove they are U.S. citizens when registering to vote for federal elections without prior public notice. One of the missions of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission which implemented this new law is to help make voting easier and not harder for eligible voters. Enforcing a new law and process without notifying the public falls far short of that goal. Instead, the court has sanctioned yet another ``solution'' to a problem that doesn't exist.

This new proof of citizenship requirement joins the other restrictions efforts like photo ID laws, DMV closings, poll site closings--which put up barriers to voter access. Mr. Speaker, Alabama has a storied history of voter suppression, and Judge Richard Leon's ruling last week yet again underscores the importance of the need for federal preclearance for changes to voting practices and procedures that could have a discriminatory impact. Unfortunately, these stories continue to be far too common in states across the country.

As the 2016 Presidential Election cycle continues, it is critically important that we recognize and defend against any attempts to create modem day barriers to the ballot box, instead of making voting more difficult, we should be working to ensure that every American is able to exercise their constitutionally protected right. It is reprehensible that in 2016, many Americans continue to face barriers to the ballot box. Now, citizens in Alabama, Georgia and Kansas have to show proof to citizenship to register to vote. These states have not shown a propensity for voter fraud due to lack of citizenship. It is another example of overzealous election officials putting up barriers to voting. Such suppression must stop! Our democracy is built on the premise that every citizen is able to have their voices heard and vote counted! No Vote, No Voice! America cannot and must not be silenced.

I continue to call upon Congress to pass and enact meaningful legislation that restores key protections under the Voting Rights Act. All who believe in our great democracy should fight to ensure a fair and inclusive election process for all. The time is always ripe to do what is right.

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