U.S. House votes to disfranchise millions of voters

by Jonah Goldman

The National Campaign for Fair Elections is extremely troubled by today's vote of 228-196 in the House of Representatives in support of the deceptively named Federal Election Integrity Act of 2006, HR 4844. Contrary to its title, the bill will undermine the integrity of our election process by imposing unnecessary barriers to full participating in federal elections.

"We are deeply saddened to see the House of Representatives put partisanship over voter participation. Instead of focusing on real reforms that will help eligible Americans exercise their fundamental right to vote, this bill will create a 21st century poll tax. Just weeks after the historic bi-partisan reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act, the House of Representatives decided today to erect an insurmountable road block to millions of eligible minority and traditional disfranchised voters despite conclusive proof that it is both unnecessary and discriminatory," said Barbara R. Arnwine, Executive Director of the Lawyers' Committee.

For over forty years, the Lawyers' Committee has fought to remove barriers and improve access to the voting booth on behalf of people of color. Despite today's defeat, the Lawyers' Committee will continue to oppose unnecessary restrictions that disenfranchise voters in federal and state elections. "We will continue to press forward in the states with legal challenges to allow eligible voters to participate in the process," added Arnwine.

Read the Lawyers' Committee letter opposing H.R. 4844 here.

Read the National Network for Election Reform letter here.

See how your Member of Congress voted here.