Washington, D.C. – In response to several states across the country enacting voter suppression laws, the Executive Committee of the U.S. Conference of Mayors has unanimously passed a resolution in support of voting rights. The resolution denounces any actions that would suppress or intimidate eligible voters and calls on the federal government and states to pursue policies that would ensure all eligible citizens can exercise their constitutional right to vote.
In the resolution, the Executive Committee stated, “…the United States Conference of Mayors registers its strong support for safe and secure options to vote- ensuring voter rights, access and participation and calls on the federal government, states and localities to take all possible actions to accomplish this.”
The full text of the resolution can be found here and below:
WHEREAS, voting is essential to maintaining and preserving our democracy and one of the most important rights and responsibilities that U.S. citizens have; and,
WHEREAS, all eligible voters should have the equal opportunity to exercise that right; and,
WHEREAS, national, state and local initiatives have been effective in automating voter registration, increasing awareness of elections, conducting legitimate and verifiable elections, and increasing turnout among eligible U.S. voters; and,
WHEREAS, a recent Pew Research poll showed that among U.S. adults overall, sizeable majorities favor several policies aimed at making it easier for citizens to register and vote, including requiring electronic voting machines to print a paper backup of the ballot; making early, in-person voting available to voters for at least two weeks prior to election day; and allowing people convicted of felonies to vote after serving their sentences; and,
WHEREAS, government must support equitable access to the ballot to ensure that all eligible voters can exercise their rights and must avoid actions that would restrict, suppress or intimidate participation in elections regardless of the mechanisms, particularly among historically disenfranchised communities; and,
WHEREAS, election laws should be developed in a bi-partisan fashion to preserve public confidence in our elections and the values of democracy; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that The United States Conference of Mayors registers its strong support for safe and secure options to vote- ensuring voter rights, access and participation and calls on the federal government, states and localities to take all possible actions to accomplish this.