Mucarsel-Powell Leads Colleagues in Introducing Bill to Prohibit Purging of Voter Rolls

Statement

Today, U.S. Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (FL-26), a member of the Judiciary Committee, introduced a bill to prohibit voter roll purging through a tactic known as voter caging. Voter caging has been used to purge voter rolls in jurisdictions across the country by using mail to disqualify eligible voters. This legislation is a core element of the Democratic agenda to strengthen voting rights around the country.

"Ever since the Supreme Court's decision in Shelby v. Holder gutted the VRA, it's become more important than ever to reduce barriers to voting and promote voting rights," said Mucarsel-Powell. "We need to prohibit voter purging simply because mail isn't properly delivered. Voter caging prevents citizens from voting through no fault of their own, and this dishonest practice is an attempt to suppress democracy. It must be stopped."

In general, voter caging is the practice of sending non-forwardable mail to the addresses of registered voters in a specific location and using returned mail to challenge voter qualification on the basis of residency. Those looking to purge voter rolls believe that these mailers indicate the voter no longer lives in the jurisdiction, was fraudulently registered, or their information on file is incorrect, and is therefore ineligible to vote. The bill would prohibit the use of voter caging mail to disqualify voters in a federal election and limit challenges to voter eligibility.

Joining Mucarsel-Powell in introducing the anti-voter caging law are U.S. Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23), Donna Shalala (FL-27), Darren Soto (FL-09), Deb Haaland (NM-01), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Sylvia Garcia (TX-06), Jim Cooper (TN-05), Bobby Rush (IL-01), and Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL).

"Every eligible voter who wishes to cast their ballot should be able to make their voice heard, but many voters are being blocked from participating in our democracy," said Haaland. "By ending practices that disqualify voters without their knowledge, we're protecting every voter's right to cast their ballot."

"There is nothing more sacred in our democracy than the right to vote," said Soto. "Yet, in Florida we've seen concerning discriminatory practices such as voter caging, narrowing voting windows, closed polling places, and more barriers to voting that are being enacted. As a first step to address these injustices, I'm proud to join Rep. Mucarsel-Powell and colleagues on the call to prohibit using mail to disqualify eligible voters. We will continue to protect Americans right to vote and support legislation against these dishonest tactics."

"The right to vote is the cornerstone of our democracy, yet sadly we continue to see efforts to suppress legally registered voters from exercising this constitutional right," said Cohen. "Voter caging prevents qualified citizens from voting and is often used to target minority voters. Congress needs to put a stop to this."