Kirk Watson: “Last week, a number of members of the Congressional Black Caucus, myself included, addressed the issue of upcoming…”

“Last week, a number of members of the Congressional Black Caucus, myself included, addressed the issue of upcoming elections, with particular attention going to voter intimidation, oppression, and suppression. I congratulate the Congressional Black Caucus, and particularly the leadership of our chair, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cummings), for making Americans aware of this very serious issue. The sad truth is that in every election since reconstruction, in every election since the Voting Rights Act passed in 1965, voters, and particularly African Americans and other minorities, have faced calculated and determined efforts at intimidation and suppression, both above and below the Mason-Dixon line, indeed throughout the Nation. It appears that the upcoming national elections will not break that pattern. In an article on the op-ed page of Monday's Washington Post, former President Jimmy Carter states the following: "The disturbing fact is that a repetition of the problems of 2000 now seems likely, even as many other nations are conducting elections that are internationally certified to be transparent, honest, and fair." President Carter cites two significant requirements for free and fair elections. First, standards that the State of Florida still fails to meet.”