Opposition to Senate Bill 803
We are opposed to Senate Bill 803, which would deny the right to vote to any citizen and qualified voter who refuses to check a box that affirms and explains their residency status. This new requirement would achieve little in promoting safe and fair elections. It needlessly duplicates an existing provision, since voters are already required to declare their citizenship when they register to vote. In fact, there is a line stating that the applicant certifies, “I am a citizen of the United States” right next to the signature box. It unnecessarily confuses the process and creates an illegal literacy requirement for voting, particularly for citizens who speak English as a second language. Further, if a citizen so much as hesitates before checking the box, it could open them to wrongful harassment and discrimination, in addition to inviting longer lines, questions, and confusion.
This reform will invite all of these complications and more, while having absolutely zero impact on increasing the security of elections.
Common Cause is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization dedicated to restoring the core values of American democracy, reinventing an open, honest and accountable government that serves the public interest, and empowering ordinary people to make their voices heard in the political process. Common Cause is a champion for campaign finance reform, election reform, ethics in government, government accountability, and the media.
Dēmos is a nonprofit, nonpartisan public policy research and advocacy organization that works to strengthen democracy in the United States by reducing barriers to voter participation and encouraging civic engagement.
Fair Elections Legal Network (FELN) is a national, nonpartisan advocacy organization whose overall mission is to remove barriers to registration and voting for traditionally underrepresented constituencies and protect their ability to exercise their right to vote.
Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law was established in 1963 as a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization at the request of President John F. Kennedy. Our mission is to involve the private bar in providing legal services to address racial discrimination and to secure, through the rule of law, equal justice under law. For over 48 years, the Lawyers’ Committee has advanced racial equality by increasing educational opportunities, fair employment and business opportunities, community development, open housing, environmental health and justice, criminal justice and meaningful participation in the electoral process.