WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), a member of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, today released the below statement after voting against advancing legislation that would federalize state elections and implement partisan, burdensome requirements for elections and campaigns. The Senate rejected the proposal on Wednesday, with Republicans voting in unanimous opposition.
“I want every eligible West Virginian to be able to exercise their right to vote, find the process easy and accessible, and ensure their vote is counted. Fortunately, in 2020, in the midst of a pandemic, West Virginia ran a successful election that saw increased, historic voter turnout. The Freedom to Vote Act remains a partisan power grab that includes unrelated, harmful provisions on the liberal wish list previously included in the so-called ‘For the People’ Act. I continue to oppose this flawed bill because it still fundamentally federalizes our elections. Despite the changes proposed, this bill would still strip states of their authority to run their elections as needed by their unique constituencies.
“Our own Secretary of State Mac Warner, who is our state’s chief election officer and works closely with all of our county clerks, came out in strong opposition of this legislation, which tells you all you need to know. West Virginians on the ground at polling locations and in clerks’ offices, who know the needs of our state best, have voiced their rejection of the provisions in this legislation, and I agree wholeheartedly with them. Bottom line, West Virginia doesn’t need Washington, D.C. to impose burdensome requirements to fix problems that do not exist.”
West Virginia Secretary of State Mac Warner and 54 of West Virginia’s 55 county clerks also oppose the purely partisan “Freedom to Vote Act.” Click here to read Secretary Warner’s letter outlining his concerns with the negative impact this legislation could have on West Virginia.
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