Rand Paul: “Voting participation in the United States is lower than in any other advanced industrialized democracy. The rights of…”

“Voting participation in the United States is lower than in any other advanced industrialized democracy. The rights of eligible citizens to seek election to office, vote for candidates of their choice and associate for the purpose of taking part in elections, including the right to create and develop new political parties, are fundamental in a democracy. The rights of citizens to participate in the election process, provided in and derived from the first and fourteenth amendments to the Constitution, have consistently been promoted and protected by the Federal Government. These rights include the right to cast an effective vote and the right to associate for the advancement of political beliefs, which includes the 'constitutional right . . . to create and develop new political parties.' Norman v. Reed, 502 U.S. 279, 112 S.Ct. 699 (1992).”