Developing: Nine Judiciary Committee Democrats call on chairman to hold formal hearings on voting irregularities and reform
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RAW STORY

Nine Judiciary committee Democrats, led by Rep. John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) called on Rep. F. James Sensenbrenner Wednesday to open formal hearings on voting irregularities and voting reform, RAW STORY has learned.

The nine Democrats were Conyers, Rep. Nadler, Rep. Scott, Rep. Lofgren, Rep. Jackson Lee, Rep. Meehan, Rep. Waters, Rep. Wexler and Rep. Schiff.

?We write to you at the very outset of the 109th Congress, to request that our committee hold hearings and investigate the vital issue of protecting our citizens right to vote,? the letter begins. ?The right to vote is the very foundation of our Democracy and is at the core of our Committee?s jurisdiction, and we can think of no more important or urgent issue before us than protecting our democratic rights. While the election is settled, however, our job as legislators on the Judiciary Committee to make sure that the constitutional right to vote is protected is just beginning.

?In congressional forums many of us participated in Washington D.C. and Columbus, Ohio, we learned of significant voter irregularities in Ohio,? it continues. ?These irregularities are included in a 100 page report Mr. Conyers issued.

?In our view, this course of events is not consistent with the right to vote as we understand it,? the congressmen add. ?The fact that many of these instances appear to be focused particularly on minority voters is all the more disheartening, and triggers even more clearly our jurisdiction involving civil rights.

?We look forward to full and open hearings concerning these instances of disenfranchisement in Ohio and around the Nation. We very much would like to work with you and your staff to insure that allegations of improprieties by both Democrats and Republicans are looked into and considered.?