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Pocan Statement on U.S. Department of Justice Appeal of Wisconsin Voter ID Law

July 30, 2014

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02) today released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Justice filed a brief to the appeal of Wisconsin's voter ID case, arguing the state law discriminates against minorities:

"I am pleased the Department of Justice is taking action to protect the right to vote for every American," said Rep. Mark Pocan. "With this appeal, the federal government is ensuring that a dangerous movement to restrict access to the polls for senior citizens, students, low-income and minority Wisconsinites is stopped. We need to affirm every citizen's ability to vote without condition."

In 2013, Pocan introduced legislation with U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison (MN-05) to explicitly guarantee the right to vote in the U.S. Constitution. The Pocan Ellison Voting Rights Amendment would amend the Constitution to provide all Americans with the affirmative right to vote and empower the government with the authority to protect this fundamental right.

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