The following statement was provided by the National Action Network.
Washington, DC – President
Trump recently signed an executive order to establish a “Presidential Advisory
Commission on Election Integrity.”
This commission was formed as an attempt
to construct legitimacy around baseless claims of illegal voting and to pursue
destroying the fundamental foundation of democracy. This attempt, disguised as
an effort to eradicate voter fraud, will lead to voter suppression efforts
specifically in marginalized communities of color where too many already face
unnecessary barriers.
Numerous “studies” have shown that the
number of instances of voter fraud were minuscule. Adding Kansas Secretary of
State Kris Kobach as vice-chair of the commission, someone who has a history of
fueling fear of illegal voting without evidence, further sends a red flag. To
have the Department of Justice address the commission’s findings -- coupled
with Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ long record of hostility towards equal
voting rights -- damages our democracy.
This Administration should focus
on increasing participation by pursing greater access to the polls. This
includes modernizing both voter equipment and voter registration procedures.
The National Action Network (NAN) will
continue to monitor any efforts to suppress the voting participation of
minority voters by this commission or any entity on a local, state and federal
level.
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