Center for Popular Democracy Condems President Trump’s Presidential Commission on “Election Integrity”
Statement from Emma Greenman, Director of Voting Rights and Democracy, Center for Popular Democracy
05.11.17
President Trump’s “Presidential Commission on Election Integrity” is a sham and a ploy to distract Americans from the investigation into a real and verifiable threat to the integrity of our electoral system -- Russia’s hacking and interference in the 2016 election.
On the campaign trail and now as president, Trump has peddled false claims of fraud and election rigging to undermine voting rights, question the legitimacy of voters of color, and deny his own loss of the popular vote by 3 million votes. Make no mistake, this commission is part of an ongoing effort to erect barriers to voter registration and voting, target the electoral participation of communities of color, and manipulate elections in an effort to keep certain politicians in power.
This commission will only exacerbate the real problem, the alarming rise of laws and practices that suppress the vote, target voters of color and prevent eligible voters from casting viable ballots. Many of these voter restriction laws have been championed by people Trump has picked to serve on this commission. Reports that the president will name Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach -- notorious for his attacks on voting rights and immigrants -- as one of the commission's co-chairs reveals the real intent behind this commission. In fact, the commission is reportedly packed with the country’s most aggressive voter suppression advocates.
Protecting the right to vote is at the heart of our democracy. America’s elected officials must defend our constitutional right to have a say in our government. We cannot let President Trump or any other elected official distort the rules our democracy. We must reject this commission and instead focus on doing everything we can to make our democracy accessible to every eligible American voter.
Emma Greenman, Director of Voting Rights and Democracy, Center for Popular Democracy
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The Center for Popular Democracy promotes equity, opportunity, and a dynamic democracy in partnership with innovative base-building organizations, organizing networks and alliances, and progressive unions across the country. CPD builds the strength and capacity of democratic organizations to envision and advance a pro-worker, pro-immigrant, racial justice agenda.
