No one wants their state to become the poster child for a problem. No one wants their home town to become a laughstock. So it is with much dismay that I come before you today, to describe what has gone on in St. Louis, what is going on, and what reforms I believe are vital. We have been given a real-life civics lesson that was as unexpected as it was frustrating. And now those of us in positions of responsibility need to fix what needs fixing, reform what needs reforming, and prosecute where actual wrong-doing has occured.
Voting is the most important duty and responsibility of a citizen of our republic.
It should not be diluted by fraud, false filings in lawsuits, judges who don t follow the law, and politicians who try to profit from the confusion. At the same time, voters should not be unduly confused by complicated ballots and voter rosters, or confounded by inadequate phone lines or voting booths. Mr. Chairman, I want to make one simple point as I begin. Vote fraud is not about partisanship. It is not about democrats vs. republicans.