[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 107 (Tuesday, July 5, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1035]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RESTORATION TUESDAY: ALABAMA RULING ON VOTER REGISTRATION REQUIRING 
                          PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TERRI A. SEWELL

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 5, 2016

  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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