ACLU Expresses Support for H.R. 1281, Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 25, 2007

Contact:

Rachel Perrone, (202) 675-2312, media@dcaclu.org

Washington, DC – The American Liberties Union urged the House of Representatives to pass H.R. 1281, the Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2007, which is expected to receive a floor vote later today. This legislation is intended to address the very real problem of deceptive campaign communications in federal elections. If deceptive voting practices are not prohibited, many voters will be prevented from exercising their right to vote, which is at the very core of American democracy.

During the 2006 elections, voters across the country were given inaccurate information about their eligibility to vote and candidate endorsements. These deceptive voting practices often result in voters opting not to exercise one of their most fundamental rights – the right to vote. H.R. 1281 addresses these deceptive practices by holding people criminally and civilly accountable for tactics commonly intended to discourage voting in minority communities. The bill would also require the Department of Justice to report to Congress on the frequency of voter deception and the effectiveness of corrective action taken prior to the elections.

The following can be attributed to Caroline Fredrickson, director of the ACLU Washington Legislative Office:

“The right to vote is fundamental, and we’re pleased to support legislation that protects individuals from deceptive practices and voter intimidation. In previous elections, we’ve learned that individuals, particularly in minority communities, were given incorrect or misleading information that discouraged them from voting. H.R. 1281 aims to stop voter suppression and disenfranchisement, and addresses real and ongoing problems in voting. We are pleased to support it, and we urge the House of Representatives to vote in favor of this important legislation.”

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