Congress members call for examination into voter suppression, disenfranchisement

A coalition of Democratic members of Congress requested last week via letter to President Trump that any investigation into voter fraud include an examination of voter suppression and disenfranchisement.

“As an initial matter, claims of widespread voter fraud in the 2016 presidential election are largely unsubstantiated,” the members said. “Inquiries conducted thus far have not revealed any evidence of widespread voter fraud, nor is there evidence substantiating your claim that ‘3 to 5 million illegal votes’ were responsible for Hillary Clinton’s popular vote win.”

The members specifically called attention to 14 new state laws that went into effect in 2016 as a result of a 2013 decision by the Supreme Court of the United States to strike down key provisions of the Voting Rights Act.

“Nevertheless, we are writing to demand that any investigation your administration conducts into voter irregularities in the 2016 presidential election include a thorough investigation and analysis of voter suppression and disenfranchisement,” the members said.

The members also made note of strict voter ID requirements made by some states, along with the closure of voter registration locations and removal of polling places out of minority districts.

“These restrictive laws and intimidation tactics make clear that it is time to put teeth back into the Voting Rights Act and counter voter disenfranchisement,” the letter said. “We hope to work together with you to remedy widespread voter disenfranchisement across our country.”