SCDP Urges Local Residents to Oppose Backdoor Voter Suppression Effort

Sarasota Democrats are sounding the alarm for urgent action to oppose a backdoor effort to impede the ability of citizens to register and vote in federal elections.

Using the pretext of widespread voter fraud, the America First Legal Foundation, an

organization founded by presidential adviser Stephen Miller and known for its anti-

immigrant agenda, has filed a petition with a federal agency called the Election

Assistance Commission to require documentary proof of citizenship such as a passport

when a person registers to vote. This could potentially disenfranchise millions of eligible

voters.

Echoing the call of several nonpartisan voter protection organizations, Sarasota

Democrats are asking the public to submit comments immediately in opposition to this

attempt to institute a fundamental change in who can vote in federal elections. Public

comment on this issue is open ONLY UNTIL MONDAY, OCTOBER 20.

“This show-your-papers proposal is a thinly veiled attempt at voter suppression,” said

Sarasota County Democratic Party Chair David Dean. “Never before in this country

have we required people to produce official documents in order to be able to vote.

People already must swear under oath about their citizenship status, and there is no

evidence of widespread voter fraud by non-citizens. Fewer than half of Americans have

passports, and many people of limited financial means do not have documents showing

they were born in this country.”

Dean added that requiring people to produce official documents to vote will create

significant hardship for women and others who legally have changed their names due to

marriage or divorce, people who have limited financial means to acquire updated

documents, and those with mobility or other physical impairments.

The period for public comment ends Oct. 20; comments must be submitted by

that deadline. Comments may be submitted online by clicking on this link Federal

Foundation for Rulemaking.” Comments may be submitted individually, on behalf of an

organization, or anonymously.

Contact for additional information: David Dean