Mike Conaway: “Several members have mentioned the inconvenience that many voters may have experienced on voting day by having to stand…”

“Several members have mentioned the inconvenience that many voters may have experienced on voting day by having to stand in line to wait their turn to vote. I want us to put that inconvenience into a proper perspective. It goes without saying we should eliminate any barrier to voting that we reasonably can eliminate. That said, one day last year the Afghan people got up early one morning, put on their best clothes and set out to vote for the first time. They left the safety of their homes to vote at the express threat to their safety and very lives. They were threatened with being shot and killed or maimed by bombs. In addition, many stood in line all day to vote. I believe we should look to the Afghan people for an example of how to fulfill our responsibility to vote.”