Congress Must Investigate Senator Lindsey Graham’s Conduct

Voting Rights News, Voting Rights Resources 11.17,20

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
November 17, 2020
Contact: Kiren Marshall, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, [email protected], 202.780.9835
Sandra Hernandez, Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, [email protected], 310.386.5768
Don Owens, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, [email protected], 202.934.1880
Phoebe Plagens, NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, [email protected], 212.965.2235

WASHINGTON – The co-chairs of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights’ Voting Rights Task Force — NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, MALDEF, and Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law — issued the following statement regarding the recent allegations against Sen. Lindsey Graham of putting pressure on Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and other state officials to discard legally cast ballots.

“We are deeply disturbed by the allegations that Senator Lindsey Graham pressured Georgia Secretary of State Raffensperger and other state officials to toss out legally cast ballots. The accusations, if true, are of the same character as the myriad voter suppression tactics witnessed in this election and are focused on the same objective of denying the right to vote. To suggest, directly or indirectly, that any election official act in such a manner is an affront to the democratic process and may violate the law.

“Our democracy hinges on one fundamental principle — counting every vote. It is an obligation, a moral imperative, and a duty that upholds our sacred right to choose our leaders. We urge the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Ethics, the U.S. Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, and the Committee on House Administration to conduct an immediate and thorough investigation into Senator Graham’s conduct in this matter.”

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 220 national organizations to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States. The Leadership Conference works toward an America as good as its ideals. For more information on The Leadership Conference and its member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org.