The ACLU has filed a lawsuit against over the lack transparency in President Trump’s “election integrity commission.”
The ACLU explained the basis for their complaint in a statement provided to PoliticusUSA:
Federal law requires that commission meetings be open to the public, with timely notice provided, allowing for in-person attendance, and that written records be made available to the public. The commission must also adopt measures to ensure that its work is not inappropriately influenced by special interests or the president himself.
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The commission will hold a July 19 meeting — only available via internet live stream — and has, by its own admission, held a previous telephonic meeting without notifying the public, as required by law.
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“The commission held its first meeting without notice or making it open to the public. This process is cloaked in secrecy, raising serious concerns about its credibility and intent. What are they trying to hide?†said Theresa Lee, a staff attorney with the ACLU’s Voting Rights Project.
Trump’s election integrity commission has come under fire from the states who see it as a violation of states’ rights and a thinly veiled attempt at voter fraud. 46 of the 50 states have refused to comply with all or part of the commission’s requests for sensitive personal data about voters.
“Our election process must be secure, fair, and transparent,†said Sophia Lin Lakin, a staff attorney with the ACLU’s Voting Rights Project. “Yet the commission is conducting its work deep in the shadows, making it alarmingly suspect. The commission is legally required to conduct the people’s business in the light of day.â€
Trump has demonstrated an attitude that varies from disregard to contempt for existing laws. It is up to organizations like the ACLU to take action when this administration chooses to ignore laws governing transparency.
Under the disguise of election integrity, Trump appears to be trying to carry out a massive voter purge. The Trump administration needs to be hauled into court daily until they get the message that the American people have a right to know what their government is doing.
Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association
