Lynn C. Woolsey: “5 years ago, as a new Member of the House of Representatives, I was so proud to support the motor voter bill, a bill…”

“5 years ago, as a new Member of the House of Representatives, I was so proud to support the motor voter bill, a bill which made it easier for people to vote. It made it easier by allowing more convenient access to voter registration for new voters or for voters who had moved to a new area. The motor voter bill is a symbol of our country's belief that it is every citizen's right to have access to the ballot box, every citizen's right, not just some citizens. Today, I am ashamed that some in this body would turn the clock back, back to a time when the Federal Government would make it more difficult, not less difficult, for every person to vote in this country, every legitimate person. For example, the amendment by the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Peterson) would unreasonably burden some would-be voters by requiring them to show proof of citizenship at the polls on election day. Because of what? Their appearance? The color of their skin? That they have an accent? I would ask my colleagues, at a time when voter turnout is embarrassingly low in this democratic country of ours, do we really want to make it more difficult for citizens to exercise the right to vote? Of course the answer is no, which is exactly how we should vote on this ill-conceived amendment: "No" on the Peterson amendment, "yes" on the Shays-Meehan bill.”