Voter Suppression in Minority Communities: Learning from the Past to Protect Our Future

CHAIRWOMAN MALONEY'S OPENING STATEMENT

BACKGROUND

The Constitution enshrines the right to vote and grants Congress the authority to legislate to protect that right. Despite hard-fought victories to protect and expand voting rights, today many Americans—especially those in minority communities—face significant barriers to registering to vote and casting a ballot.

The Committee has been investigating barriers to voting for the last year. In March 2019, the Committee launched investigations of allegations of voter suppression in Georgia, Texas, and Kansas. On May 1, 2019, the Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties led by Chairman Jamie Raskin held a hearing on “Protecting the Right to Vote: Best and Worst Practices.”

PURPOSE

The hearing will examine the history and current state of voting rights in America, including how all Americans can ensure they are able to cast their votes in upcoming elections.