WASHINGTON - January 31 - Today, the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights announces their support for the Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2007, and applauds the efforts of Senators Barack Obama and Chuck Schumer who introduced the bill.

Forty years after the passage of the Voting Rights Act, Americans continue to be targets of deceptive practices and intimidation as they attempt to cast a ballot. Since 2004, the Lawyers' Committee, the lead legal organization in the Election Protection Coalition, has collected reports of deceptive practices or voter intimidation from more than 30 states.

“It is outrageous that in 2007 Americans continue to be the subject of intimidation and deception as they attempt to exercise their most fundamental right. These attempts prevent the will of the voters from determining election outcomes and undermine the greatness of our democratic process,” said Barbara R. Arnwine, Executive Director of the Lawyers' Committee. “This bill is a critically important step towards ridding the country of these despicable practices that threaten the integrity of our election system.”

The counsel and experience of the Lawyers' Committee's National Campaign for Fair Elections and the Election Protection Coalition were critical to demonstrating the compelling need for this important bill and for shaping the most effective response to this essential challenge.

For more information, please visit www.nationalcampaignforfairelections.org.
For NY Times article, click here.

###