IV 
112TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. RES. 542 
Condemning the passage of legislation that would unduly burden an American 
citizen’s ability to vote and opposing any State election law or proposed 
legislation that would have a disproportionate impact on vulnerable com-
munities across the country. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
FEBRUARY 8, 2012 
Mr. CLEAVER (for himself, Mr. CLARKE of Michigan, Ms. LEE of California, 
Ms. FUDGE, Mr. CLAY, Mr. AL GREEN of Texas, Ms. MOORE, Mr. 
MEEKS, Ms. WATERS, Mr. JACKSON of Illinois, Mr. BUTTERFIELD, Ms. 
CLARKE of New York, Mr. RICHMOND, Mr. RUSH, Mr. BISHOP of Geor-
gia, Mr. DAVIS of Illinois, Mr. TOWNS, Ms. WILSON of Florida, Ms. 
BROWN of Florida, Mr. PAYNE, Mr. RANGEL, Ms. JACKSON LEE of 
Texas, Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas, Mr. SCOTT of Virginia, 
Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia, Mr. ELLISON, Mr. CONYERS, Mr. HAS-
TINGS of Florida, Mr. LEWIS of Georgia, Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia, Mr. 
FATTAH, Ms. BASS of California, Ms. SEWELL, Ms. NORTON, Mr. 
THOMPSON of Mississippi, Mr. CUMMINGS, Mrs. CHRISTENSEN, Mr. CAR-
SON of Indiana, Ms. EDWARDS, Mr. CLYBURN, Ms. RICHARDSON, and 
Mr. WATT) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
Committee on the Judiciary 
RESOLUTION 
Condemning the passage of legislation that would unduly 
burden an American citizen’s ability to vote and opposing 
any State election law or proposed legislation that would 
have a disproportionate impact on vulnerable commu-
nities across the country. 
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•HRES 542 IH 
Whereas dozens of restrictive voting laws have been proposed 
in several States throughout the country that would re-
duce the number of voting days, implement stiffer identi-
fication requirements, and prevent felons from regaining 
the ability to vote; 
Whereas in 2011 laws were enacted in 7 States to require 
voters to present photo identification in order to vote, 
and an additional State enacted such a law through a 
ballot initiative; 
Whereas in 2011 legislation was proposed in 12 States to re-
quire voters to present proof of citizenship in order to 
register to vote, and such legislation was enacted success-
fully in 3 of these States; 
Whereas in 2011 legislation was proposed in 9 States to re-
duce early voting, and such legislation was enacted suc-
cessfully in 5 of these States; 
Whereas in 2011 legislation was proposed in 4 States to re-
strict absentee voting rights; 
Whereas 11 percent of the American population does not 
have government issued photo identification; 
Whereas 18 percent of Americans between the ages of 18 and 
24 lack current government issued photo identification, 
18 percent of seniors lack valid government issued photo 
identification, and one out of four African-Americans lack 
government issued photo identification; 
Whereas felon disenfranchisement disproportionately impacts 
communities of color; 
Whereas students and people of color are more likely to reg-
ister at a registration drive and their communities will be 
most negatively affected by new restrictions on voter reg-
istration; 
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