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Klobuchar Urges VA to Reverse Course, Permit Voter Registration Efforts in Veterans' Facilities

Says veterans have earned the right to have their voices heard

July 25, 2008

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar wrote Veterans Affairs Secretary James B. Peake today to express her concern over his recent decision to limit voter registration and voter education efforts in VA facilities.

Peake issued a ruling early this month that VA offices, residences and medical facilities cannot offer voter registration services, a decision that impedes efforts by state voter-registration officials and nonpartisan groups to help veterans prepare to cast their ballots in upcoming elections.

“Minnesotans have always believed that voting is not only our right, it is our responsibility. For more than two decades, Minnesota has had the highest average voter turnout rate for presidential elections of any state in the nation,’’ Klobuchar said. “While one great virtue of our society is that no one individual’s vote matters more than another, American veterans have unquestionably earned the right to have their voices heard, and it is incumbent upon us to ensure that they are able to do so.’’

Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie joined Klobuchar in urging Peake to reverse the decision. “These brave men and women fought to preserve our democracy, and they deserve every right to participate in our democracy,’’ Ritchie said.

Since Peake’s decision, a wide range of groups, including Common Cause, the League of Women Voters and many individual secretaries of state have urged the VA to reverse course and facilitate voter registration and education on such issues as how to file an absentee ballot and how to use new voting machines.

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