Committee on Rules and Administration hears testimonies on voter registration problems

The Senate Committee on Rules and Administration held a hearing March 11th on the problems of voter registration. Among those testifying were Jonah Goldman of the Lawyers Committee, Kristen Clarke of NAACP, Curtis Gans of the Center for the Study of the American Electorate and South Dakota Sec. of State Chris Nelson.

From the testimonies:

"What the butterfly ballots and hanging chads were in 2000, is what voter registration problems are today. " - Sen. Charles E. Schumer, Committee Chair

"The United States voter registration system is wildly outdated and badly in need of modernization." - Jonah Goldman, Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under the Law

"In 2008, there were approximately 230 million people of voting age, 212 million eligible to vote, 168 million registered, and 133 million who actually voted. These facts demonstrate the pivotal importance of voter registration." - Stephen Ansolabehere, Harvard University

To read complete testimonies of Senator Schumer and the witnesses, visit the March 11th hearing's page on the Committee's website (Voter Registration: Assessing Current Problems).