WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Representative Lynn Woolsey (Petaluma) today, joined Senator Barbara Boxer (California) and fellow Democratic Members of Congress in fighting to protect the voting rights of Americans and to debate the need for election reform. The debate immediately followed a challenge to the certification of the Ohio electoral votes.

The following are Congresswoman Woolsey’s words as written for the House of Representatives:

“Mr. Speaker, this is the second presidential election in a row in which serious, well-documented concerns have been raised about disenfranchisement and voting rights violations without any Congressional investigation. This time, the second time, it must be different.

“The U.S. is supposed to be a beacon of freedom, the greatest democracy in the world, yet we cannot seem to guarantee that the votes of our citizens are counted. This past election there was everything -- from votes outnumbering voters in some precincts to voter intimidation in other precincts. It’s time that we investigate these serious violations to our democracy.

“There’s a tragic irony here: yes, indeed, we’re sacrificing American lives and billions of dollars to try to establish democracy in Iraq, yet we can’t seem to get our democracy in order right here at home.

“This is not about which candidate won and which candidate lost on November 2; it’s about citizens and their most fundamental rights.

“The recommendations put together by the minority members of the House Judiciary Committee must be followed. I look forward to working with Reps. Tubbs-Jones (OH) and Conyers (MI) and the other leaders of this effort toward ensuring that every vote counts before the next election. Otherwise, why will Americans bother to vote?”