An even more difficult challenge will be convincing the President and Republicans in Congress to join us in making electoral reform Washington's top legislative priority. The most promising message we heard from civil rights leaders testifying at our hearing is that a national, multiracial movement for democratic reform is emerging. As in the past, civil rights leadership must have its foundation in our local communities - as well as in the Congress. Election reform is not a racial issue. It is not a black issue nor white issue, it is a red, white and blue issue.
Voting is the most fundamental right guaranteed under the Constitution.
I wholeheartedly agree. Constitutionally-mandated equal protection of the laws and the Voting Rights Act require an electoral system in which all adult Americans are able to register as voters, remain on the rolls once registered and vote free from harassment. Ballots must not be misleading, and every vote must count. We cannot forget what took place in Florida on Election Day 2000. The Congress must address the evidence that Florida voters were unlawfully denied their right to register, were unlawfully removed from the voter rolls and were disenfranchised at the polls.