And those that have lost loved ones give them hope and faith and flawless. And those that have lost their jobs or their wellbeing, dont have nutrition or opportunities to take care of their family, keep them safe, we will get through this, times will be better. And to the police, give them the fortitude to carry on for peace in their hearts and understanding and acceptance and peace in the hearts of the protesters as well. And to the people that have rioted, give them understanding that there are better ways to go about their lives. Amen. Id like to start this hearing the committee on the judiciary subcommittee on constitution civil rights and Civil Liberties will come to order. Without objection the chair is authorized to declare a recess of the subcommittee at any time. I welcome everyone today to the hearing on protecting the rights of voters during the covid19 pandemic and thank the witnesses for joining us today and my colleagues are conducting this new format and continuing to serve the American People during these challenging times. This is the first hearing of the Judiciary Committee conducted under the new house remote proceeding rules. So, we might have a few spots but we will get through them. Id like to remind members we have established an email address and a distribution list dedicated to circulating exhibits, motions or other written materials members might want to offer as a part of the hearing today. If you would like to submit material please send them to judiciary documents and we will distribute to the members and staff as quickly as we can. Its also my understanding the gentleman from georgia, the former Committee Ranking member will be joining the subcommittee the remainder of this Congress Since the full committee hasnt yet been able to meet to ratify the subcommittees assignment he will be assuming, without objection they will be designating as a member of the committee for the purpose of todays hearing. I will now recognize myself for an Opening Statement. We are in the midst of one of those moments in the nations history where conferencing this crisis and the way we respond to them will shape fundamentally who we are as a people. To begin with, we meet virtually today because we are in the middle of a Global Pandemic thats taken the lives of over 100,000 fellows citizens, the pandemic that has exacerbated it exacerbated and impacted africanamericans among other historically disadvantaged people. This reflects americas original sin. The sin of us recognized yet is recognized in our revered founding document the United States constitution. This ideology that undergirded and continued on through the jim crow wall and resists to change even for today resulting in an equal opportunities and consequences we are still grappling with. Another tragic manifestation is the pattern of crack this into justifiable way many feel weve seen that on the streets all over in the peaceful protests. Across the country they call a to do everything in my power as chairman to build a better and more just america in which i dedicated my public life to starting back in 1977. It is another day and im holding the hearing today. Protecting the right to vote during the covid19 pandemic is intrinsically tied to the protests occurring across the nation. Violence against black americans expressing the righ their righte are two sides of the same coin. The coin of systemic racism has plagued the country since when first were brought to this country as slaves. Think about it, 1619. That was 250 years before we became a nation. From jim crow to the present, politicians particularly in the south and elsewhere as well have sought to deny the ability of black americans and other people of color to vote. People with disabilities, language minority voters and native americans among others also have the right to vote undermined throughout history denying them. Now we deal with a viral pandemic stretching to both safely. But it affects voters of colors among others. States are left with a choice. Adapt to this new reality and ensure everyone can both safely in november or they fail to act in the face of this ischallenge. We know what needs to be done and we must ensure they can cast their ballots by mail if they choose and they shouldnt have to go through this endless bureaucratic way to do it. President trump said theres an inherent backed by every in addition study this past election from utah, oregon, washington two yesterday in pennsylvania. But he also said when he made that message recently without this case thinking about politics. The fact is many republicans support the mailin voting and benefited from it. States must proactively send out ballots to voters or at least for the mailin ballots to make it easy for people especially if there is a spike come november for even worse conditions and more reasons to be concerned. For Many Americans such as those that have changed address, voting by mail is not a realistic option. The most obvious way to ensure the polling places is to spread out the Voting Period and allow people to cast their ballots early. The act that passed the house is now sitting before the senate and we mandate each of those things. It gives the funding they desperately need to carry all of those out. The treasury 500 billion to bail out corporations, we can certainly afford the 3. 6 billion but it will cost to safeguard the very unique system of government was the source of power and people. No american should have to choose between their health and their right to vote. Democracy including the right to vote is the way our founders respond to whatever challenges we place. Its been and will be the characteristic of who we are as a nation. I look forward to hearing from each of the witnesses gathered here today and thank them for agreeing to appear and testify on this subject. And at this point, it is my pleasure to recognize the Ranking Member of the subcommittee, the gentleman from louisiana, mr. Johnson for his Opening Statement. Thank you, mr. Chairman, and thanks to everybody. Thank you everyone for joining us this morning. This is an important subject and i appreciate the prayer. Everybody needs that right now. I think all of us agree that the Senate Reconciliation and Transformative Solutions has a change and we all agree those are long overdue. So that we boldly declare this that and that we are all endowed by god himself with the same inalienable rights. Everybody has volume and then to contribute to society it is inherent. Any fool that contends any natural right of supremacy over his neighbors violates not only the creed of america and thats important to acknowledge. And for help us to help us and then also the honorable men and women because they also are in jeopardy right now. And theyve done nothing but make it worse and i know that we all agree on that as well. And to make all of us recognize the covid19 pandemic has affected our country in countless ways. We express condolences to those who have lost their battle with this invisible enemy and First Responders and doctors and nurses and the Trump Administration for taking crucial steps to help prevent the spread any further. Despite chinas efforts about the effect of the virus i am glad the president instituted sanitation protocols in a task force and along with the Vice President with decades in Public Health has been very important for the country in our response. We are all adjusting to the new normal we have to say we are disappointed the committee is not in dc to conduct this important hearing. Grocery store workers and healthcare personnel that they can show up in person to do their job we should do the same thing. That on the issue of the hearing today, i just want to say and i will be brief we all believe in the importance of the election that is essential to republican or democratic form and the one eligible american to participate in every vote we just dont believe the suggestions proposed on the other side of the aisle are in the best interest of the election system and what has been proposed with the broad federal mandates how state should run the election we believe the mandate is in the constitution itself the election clause gives them ability to administer within their Jurisdiction Congress doesnt have the authority to override the state laws but they are in the best position to determine based on each individual needs. Is connected and then all of these by mail the hardest you be legalized nationwide. And to increase at the worst possible time and even in the New York Times there is a bipartisan consensus voting by mail is more easily abuse than other forms. Similarly the Bipartisan Commission cochaired by former jimmy carter and secretary of state bakers said in their final report in 2005 absentee ballots is the largest source of potential voter fraud in american elections. Absentee voting also has practical problems compared to in person voting or early voting. And to discuss those implications on the elections and with those logistical concerns this close to november with the state Voter Registration law. And those that outnumber the citizen. And those that can deliver ballots on time and to the right people i acknowledge concerns about the pandemic and the election now is not the time there is too much at risk we should be discussing how to vote in person safely in light of the new circumstances when you consider how the federal government can make our own decisions regarding the election and respond to the unique circumstances. I look forward to listening and hope we can have a thoughtful discussion and i yield back. You are welcome. Thank you for your statement i would like to recognize the gentleman from the Judiciary Committee for his Opening Statement and i thank you to all of the witnesses for joining us today i went to note the committee has been hard at work since the outbreak of the pandemic and then we discussed issues such as price gouging during the covid19 crisis and those in prisons and jails at the pandemic. And then to include measures in the cares act in response to what we learned and with that covid19 crisis in many standards to individuals is a nice detention and those that do not pose a risk to Public Safety so when they heroes act for the homeowners and significant funding and the violence against women act and the Legal Services corporation and then to ensure Public Safety officers that have died will receive the benefits and next week will hold the hearing to address issues of accountability the committee is hard at work and we appreciate all the members during these challenging times. Also to acknowledge thes profoundly painful moments of our nation with violence against black americans once again have been torn open those that have been taken to the streets for their Constitutional Rights we have a proud history of protest in this country but even at the most basic levels the local sheriffs and members of congress are supposed to be chosen by popular will thats it makes the country a democracy at the very core of governance for by the people some in the face of the Global Pandemic in fact business as usual with hours long lines and those designed to suppress americas right to vote is at the heart of the system of selfgovernance and today it might even be deadly and the question if we can call ourselves even a democracy at all. If this sounds alarming consider this and then to be a voted because of their race or income or disability or the way they live the response to play games the way that they may hold power is not a democracy but Something Else to have the most fundamental constitutional right is the right to vote in the most basic human right so i would like to say directly to the American People there is no sitting this democracy and then with the right this november and then protecting your own health and in speaking to all the voters to vote by mail this and to have those resources to ensure and also have in person voting for those who choose not to vote by mail so that no one is disenfranchised and with that todays unprecedented challenges to carry out carry out free and Fair Elections despite the pandemic we know what needs to be done todays hearing is the first step in the process thank you for holding this hearing and i yield back the balance of my time spent thinking we would normally note to the Ranking Member he does not have a statement so the state straight to the witnesses think it is a for this hearing and allow to have each of the witnesses and their introduction we will recognize that witness for the for statement and then to be walked in on in their entirety. Nt of time to ask questions i will bang my gavel and also there will be a timer on your screen. Please be mindful. I would remind all of the witnesses you have a legal obligation to provide a truthful statement to the subcommittee in any false statement could subject you to prosecution through title 181st witness is the 47 secretary of state to ensure that elections are secure and accessible to michigan voters and the secretaries of state call the democratic process the first role as secretary of state is to enforce Campaign Finance law. Receiving her jd from Harvard Law School and from University School of the law in detroit michigan which i visited with chairman conyers an expert on civil rights and election law you are recognized for five minutes. Thank you for the opportunity to testify today i started my career in Montgomery Alabama and it was there i developed and solidified my own commitment for those that sacrifice and work that everyone is protected and secure today as the secretary of state chief election officer i am informed and inspired by many colleagues and advocates around the country many of whom im honored to speak alongside today and as we Work Across Party Lines to ensure they are accessible in the midst of the pandemic into the 2020 election but we need your help democracy is a team sport we need a sustained and committed partner in the federal government to ensure voters have the clarity that elections will be held and their rights are secure 11. 2 Million Dollars received in funding is welcome but it was not enough with a 40 milliondollar gap with those new challenges for our state importantly that heroes act will address these effectively and i urge everyone support in the district of columbia 41 states voters can vote to by mail if not then it is implemented with various degrees of effectiveness federal funding and standards will be written in my testimony it goes a long way to help avoid variations in the fall. Voters need clear choices how to vote and they need guidance and support for those choices. This need is acute and to be disenfranchised and thats an additional challenge to overcome want to close by sharing a Success Story to elections this year one prior to the pandemic and in early may we held local elections at the height of the pandemic to demonstrate even in the midst of this moment safe and secure elections are possible to succeed we know every registered voter is an application and instruction how to vote from home we also provided a safe option for voters to cast their ballots on election day and then to recruit new election records nobody had to work somewhere they did not feel comfortable and every jurisdiction with ppe along with clear and explicit protocols how to have 6 feet of distance between election workers and voters than they could choose to safely exercise their vote that turnout was double and 99 percent of voters who participated in the may election chose to vote from home there were no crowds or long lines. The success demonstrated it is possible proper planning policy Education Resources to ensure elections this fall are safe and accurate and secure also may most recent decision to narrow every registered voter application on how to vote by mail at the august primary in the november general election we can and will survive the pandemic but we need your ongoing help all of us working together across party lines and investment and input. Thank you. Thank you for condensing your remarks and interest of time he will have questions for you ms. Abrams is founder and chair of verified action and organization dedicated to advancing Voting Rights and Electoral Reform the democratic nominee for the state of georgia the first africanamerican woman nominated by a major party prior to running for governor the General Assembly from 2007 to 2017 and also the House Minority leader and became the first woman in the georgia General Assembly. And a jd from moscow and the Public Affairs and also her magna cum laude from spelman and she has another commitment at noon so we have to stick to our time limits serve that he has a chance to ask her questions. You are recognized for five minutes. Thank you chairman and vice chairman and Ranking Member johnson the members of the committee i come before you today as a Voting Rights advocate and founder of verified action an american deeply concerned of th