Lynn C. Woolsey: “this is the second Presidential election in a row in which serious, well-documented concerns have been raised about…”

“this is the second Presidential election in a row in which serious, well-documented concerns have been raised about disenfranchisement and voting rights violations without any congressional investigation. This is the second time, and this time, it must be different. The United States is supposed to be a beacon of freedom, the greatest democracy in the world. Yet we cannot seem to guarantee that the votes of our citizens are counted. This past election there was everything from votes outnumbering voters in some precincts to blatant voter intimidation in other precincts. It is time that we investigate these serious violations because they are violations to our democracy. There is an irony here, a very tragic irony. Yes, indeed, we are sacrificing American lives and billions of dollars to try to establish democracy in Iraq. Yet we cannot seem to get our own democracy in order right here at home. This is not about which candidate won, which candidate lost on November 2. It is not about politics at all. It is about citizens and their most fundamental rights. The recommendations put together by the minority Members of this House must be followed, and I look forward to working with them to ensure that our efforts to ensure every vote counts come together before the next election. And if we do not, why would any American bother to vote?”