A package of Republican-sponsored bills will institute roadblocks and obstacles to voting for hundreds of thousands of Virginians, a group of House and Senate Democrats said in a Monday press conference.
“After presiding over an embarrassing Election Day, absolutely nothing was accomplished this session by the majority to improve our performance,” said House Democratic Caucus Chairman Mark Sickles (D-Franconia). “Virginia’s seniors and working men and women should never have to stand on their feet for hours on end to cast their ballot, yet the House repeatedly defeats common sense reforms that would make it easier for Virginians to participate in our democracy.
“Democrats arrived in Richmond with a sense of urgency, but leave disappointed by additional obstacles placed on hundreds of thousands of qualified Virginia citizens,” Sickles said.
State Sen. Mamie E. Locke (D-Hampton) addressed Republican legislation that will make voting more difficult for hundreds of thousands of Virginia’s seniors, students and working men and women.
“Voting is a fundamental American right. Senate Bill 1256 will make it harder for hundreds of thousands of Virginians to vote by forcing them to show certain forms of identification,” Locke said. “It disproportionately affects students, the elderly, low-income, and minority voters. Our elections should be free, fair, and accessible. Politicians should not get to rig the outcome by rigging the electorate.”
Del. Alfonso Lopez (D-Arlington) spoke out against Harrisonburg Republican State Sen. Mark Obenshain’s SB 1077, which would make voting more difficult and create a second-class status for naturalized United States citizens.
“The right to vote and to elect our leaders is something that has always set our country apart from the rest of the world. Billions of people around the globe do not have this sacred right. It is imperative that here in the Commonwealth we always stand up to protect the right of franchise,” said Lopez. “The Republican’s bill will unnecessarily impose barriers to voting for naturalized citizens and will saddle the Commonwealth with an inaccurate and costly verification system. It will also create a second-class status for new United States citizens. That is not the American way, nor is it the Virginia way. I hope that both Democrats and Republicans will stand together to defeat this measure.”
Democratic Party Chairwoman Charniele Herring and State Sen. Mark Herring discussed the Republican obstruction of election reform bills this legislative session.
“Members of our Democratic Caucuses introduced dozens of bills this session to make our elections more accessible, yet at every opportunity, Republicans have rejected commonsense proposals to shorten long waits and making voting easier for all qualified citizens.” said Charniele Herring. “Now, they’re actively trying to make it harder for hundreds of thousands of Virginians to vote. This has to stop. Voting is the one thing that brings us all together as Americans. It’s our responsibility to make sure everyone has that opportunity.”
“The 2012 General Assembly Session was known for the War on Women. The 2013 Session could be known for the War on Voters,” said Mark Herring. “Last year, many localities suffered from long lines and wait times. In Prince William County wait times were over three hours. In Virginia Beach over five hours. Long lines are just another form of voter disenfranchisement. Rather than change their politics, Republicans are just making it harder for people who disagree with them to vote.”
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