Transcripts For CSPAN2 House Hearing On Voting Rights Misinformation 20240712

Microphones muted. Members will need to unmute to be recognized for five minutes. Witnesses will need to unmute themselves when recognized for their five minutes or when asking a question. Members and witnesses, please keep your camera on at all times. Even if you need to step away for a moment, do not leave the meeting. At this time, i ask unanimous consent that all members have five legislative days to revise thatmend the remarks and any written statements be part of the record. Hearing no objections, so ordered. Today, we are examining new misinformation in the 2020 election. How the spread of false information harms voters and what can be done to combat this and ensure that americans can go to the polls armed with Accurate Information. This year, we cannot discuss election misinformation without also recognizing the persistent misinformation being spread about the ongoing covid19 pandemic. Americans need Accurate Information about how to cast their ballots about the pandemic, and importantly, Accurate Information on how to cast their ballots in a manner that protects their health. Election day may be four weeks from today, but voting is well underway. Overseas and military ballots were sent out a few weeks ago. Absentee ballots can be requested now and returned in the weeks ahead. More than 30 states are already mailin ballots to voters. Mailing ballots to voters. Early in person voting began in many states over the last two weeks and more will do so in the weeks ahead. Early voting begins in ohio today. The American People are voting and will be voting now through november 3. During all of this, the president and others are waging an insidious campaign to so w distrust in our process by spreading false claims that vote by mail is rife with fraud, making unsubstantiated claims that the election will be rigged, encouraging people to vote twice which is illegal and wrong. Additionally, u. S. Intelligence agencies warned that russia has continued its Disinformation Campaign and continues to interfere in the election. In 2016, no group of americans were targeted more by Russian Internet disinformation than africanamericans. American people deserve the truth. They deserve an election free from the fraud of false information and Voter Suppression. The truth is, millions of americans, including the president and members of his administration, cast a ballot by mail every election cycle casting ballot by mail every election, exceedingly rare instances of fraud, more americans prepared to cast their ballot at home than ever before the American People, you we may not know the winner of the election the night of november 3rd. This does not mean anything is wrong with the election. Ministates take days if not weeks to certify their Election Results. Many allow ballots mailed on election day to be counted. The truth is there is nothing the various. It is simply about counting ballots. The council must be accurate and that takes time. Every ballot should count, that is democracy. We should count them. Misinformation being spread in the lead up to this years election is a disservice to voters in the danger to our democracy and our democratic institution. The house past the shield act in october 2019 which would address the spread of misinformation including prohibiting the spread of false information about voting but the senate has refused to act. To ensure that voters have all the necessary Accurate Information and need to cast their ballots freely, fairly and safely during the pandemic and be confident in our electoral process. I think our witnesses for being here today and i look forward to hearing your testimony. The Ranking Member is unable to join us today. I ask unanimous consent his statement the main part of the hearing record, without objection so ordered. Each of you will be recognized for five minutes. I will remind our witnesses their entire it and statements will be made part of the record and the record will remain open for five days. Another reminder to our witnesses theres a timer on the screen. Please be sure you can see the timer and are mindful of the 5 minute limit. Joining us today, benjamin hovland, the commissions current chair, has confirmed, was confirmed by unanimous consent in the senate on january 2nd, 2019, he previously served as acting chief counsel to the Senate Committee on rules and administration. Jena griswold is colorado s 39 secretary of state, she began her term on january 8th, 2008, the youngest elected secretary of state in the country. Secretary Jena Griswold worked as Border Protection attorney and previously served as director of the governor of colorado fcc office. Inajo Davis Chappell substance or appointment in 2007, shes an oop in cleveland ensures that firm group. Spencer overton with the center for political and the complex studies, also a tenured professor at the George Washington University School of law. Previously served as Principal Deputy assistant attorney general in the office of legal policy at the department of justice during the obama administration. It is interesting to note we are holding this hearing during National Voter education week. I will now recognize our members for their 5 minutes. We will begin today with mister hoffman. Appreciate this opportunity to testify regarding the us election system commissions ongoing work on this important issue. Combating misinformation and disinformation was one of the expected issues of the 2020 election and be covid19 pandemic is only exacerbated the risk 2016 foreign interference in our election is been an increased focus and dedication to the security of our elections. The performance of Homeland Security designation of election infrastructure as Critical Infrastructure has helped codify important data efforts between federal, state, and local Government Agencies as well as another industry. This led to a sea change in information sharing and coupled with the Health America Grant Funding is greatly improved the posture of our election. That commitment to securing our election has continued. It is impossible to discuss the 2020 election without acknowledging the impact of the covid19 pandemic. Since marginally the ongoing debates about the health of our community and economy Election Administrators to face the difficult task of determining how to best adapt their practices and procedures to conduct safe, secure, and accurate elections. At the eac we pivoted substantially to focus our attention on how to support state and local affection Election Officials as they make these decisions. Is often distributed almost 1. 2 billion in Grant Funding to the state since 2018. This includes 400 million from the recent Cataract Fund and additional Election Security funds, these resources have proven vital to improving Election Administration and covid19 related issues. Election administrators have risen to the challenge during these difficult times. As a public service, can only do their best in limiting the impact of widespread misinformation and disinformation about our election. Political campaigns and interest to spending billions of dollars to influence americans was foreign embassies are mimicking Traditional Voter suppression tactics to dissuade participation but provide inadequate information how voters can participate. In the face of that americans must come together to protect our nation, the electoral process and voter confidence, those who can should encourage american confidence in our electoral process by highlighting the great work of our Election Administrators. Supporting efforts like the national association, an integral part of ensuring americans get the right information how to participate this year. Today we are 28 days from election day. Military and overseas citizen, they have been sent across the country around the world. A number of states have begun early voting and some registration deadlines have already passed. The most important things we can focus on it this point are the basics, serving food as well as helping them to have a positive experience whether they vote by mail or at the ballots early, in person or on election day. Misinformation and disinformation can interfere with that. We must push back not only against leading disinformation but also misinformation that may be wellintentioned or appropriate for citizens in one state or jurisdiction but not another. In the dc area, for example, voters are registered in one of two states with the district and social media does not stop at the state line. The reality is the 50 states, each run elections in their own unique way, the trusted effort that i mentioned earlier is about helping americans get Accurate Information about Election Administration from their state and local administration officials. This is the restricted source for each voter which provides correct information how to participate. With all the noise that throws the selection it is crucial we encourage individuals to think through how they plan to vote. Most americans have the option to vote by mail or absentee ballot early, in person or on election day. Limiting congestion at polling places will help keep voting as safe as possible. Heaping helping americans get Accurate Information about their voting options and how they can participate in sure is that voters have the opportunity to vote on or before election day, thank you for the opportunity to testify and i look forward to your questions. Thank you very much, appreciate your testimony. We will now hear from secretary griswold, recognized for five minutes. Thank you for your work on elections and inviting me to this important hearing. Mindedness jenna resort, colorados secretary of state. I look forward to sharing my views on combating misinformation in the 2020 election. As colorados top election official, i feel like can security is one of our greatest security risks. Of Foreign Countries interfere with our election it undermines faith in the entire electoral process, voters are less likely to participate which weakens the nature of our democracy. I would like to discuss the threats we are facing, what we are doing to combat them and proposals for congressional action. The Intelligence Community and Bipartisan Select Committee on intelligence concluded russia interfered in 2016 election. We know foreign enemies primarily russia are again trying to influence how we vote and undermine confidence in our election based on reports from the dni and the fbi just released the most pointed warning to date, foreign actors may try to undermine confidence in the results. Foreign adversaries are right now right this minute meddling in our election. We cannot allow this to continually happen. In response, to ensure colorado remains at the forefront of election preparedness and colorado remains confident in our process i created the Rapid Response Election Security cyberunit known as rescue to combat misinformation and emerging cyber threats. The rescue team is coordinating with partners to increase the information on the electoral process. By implementing a Public Outreach effort to ensure coloradans know to ignore the noise, seek reliable election information. Insuring my office can rapidly respond to misinformation on the electoral process by releasing Accurate Information and ensuring county and nongovernmental partners work with us to roll out correct information. We are also working with dhs and the fbi on additional measures. Following the election the team will shift towards further increasing our cybersecurity defenses and resilience to foreign interference. The team will stand up to advance legislative and policy initiatives to counter foreign misinformation. On this note last winter before covid19 shut down our state legislature i proposed legislation to combat foreign misinformation in colorado. The proposal which i hope will become law strengthens requirements to ensure paid election messages are not coming from foreign sources, this prohibits campaigns from coordinating with foreign governments and the private right of action to combat election misinformation close to the election. We must ensure that Foreign Countries do not use social media platforms as a tool to suppress americans votes. Colorado is waiting on this and our democracy demanded. Congress also has an Important Role to play from legislation appropriations and warnings to the public about foreign adversarys efforts. To tackle election misinformation i recommend the following action. First, congress should establish a commission with bipartisan representatives from state governments to develop recommendations to ensure what happened in 2016 and what is happening right now never happens again. Congress should provide Adequate Funding to states for election cybersecurity with a focus on increasing resilience to foreign misinformation. Third congress should require the Intelligence Community to rapidly declassify foreign misinformation and work with bipartisan representatives from state and federal government to roll out this information to the American Public and congress should consider legislation like we are doing in colorado combat election misinformation and foreign coordination. To this end i call on congress to remove the artificial protection afforded of social Media Companies, by the Communications Decency act, social Media Companies are not neutral platforms and thirdparty contest posted on the site and promoting intentions for an activity. They should no longer be shielded from accountability. Social media can be a tool for good, adversaries can use it to their advantage with precision never seen before. Enclosing im grateful for this opportunity to testify today. Im optimistic with your leadership and partnership we can counter foreign misinformation and ensure that every american has a democracy we can believe in. Thank you. David chapelle recognized for 5 minutes. 2 distinguished members of the United States house of representatives appreciate the opportunity to speak. In 13 years i served on the Cuyahoga County ohio board of elections including the last two president ial elections i never witnessed the kind of falsehoods being disseminated about the integrity of our elections that i am seeing in this president ial cycle. The lie that theres rampant voting fraud has tamped down somewhat by the campaign to discredit the integrity of our elections process is on the upswing and it is shameful. The latest being circulated in this election cycle around vote by mail being fraught by problems of not diminish the number of them, voters in Cuyahoga County have been voting by mail successfully since 2006. Frank larose published materials highlighting the goals and tactics on the Disinformation Campaigns we are seeing. These are taking divisive issues like race, religion and gender, planting fake news, amplifying messages via extreme fringe groups, organizing protests and so forth, using internet and social media to launch mass in Disinformation Campaigns with the goal of subversion, civil unrest and creation of public discord. The campaigns are excluding grievances, building mistrust and cynicism and ultimately discouraging voter participation. There are a number of foreign bad actors, china, venezuela, engaging in this campaign. Sadly much of this misinformation is being promoted by donald trump, the white house and other domestic bad actors who have unfairly demonized the vote by mail process and undermines public confidence. Of Election Officials we are committed to correcting this misinformation as best we can in a number of ways. In response to the fabrications around the vote by mail process the Cuyahoga County board of elections began implementing a new initiative to encourage voters to vote by mail to maximize their safety in this pandemic and that initiative is called vote from home. We are trying to separate fact from fiction by delivering countersmessages showing that vote by mail is safe and secure. We rolled out voting with buster messages to debunked voting myths with real facts. Myth buster messages are posted on social media to speak to a variety of topics geared to giving voters Accurate Information about elections and the voting process. Samples of those messages were included with my written testimony. Our board of elections has ramped up efforts to connect with voters, Voter Education and Community Outreach as a way to combat misinformation and disinformation. To communicate regularly with over 300 Community Partners including municipalities, nonprofit organizations and library systems. Although only three employees in the Community Outreach department these individuals organized events that educate and engage others. We have a robust website that provides information on all things voting and best the emperor a social Media Presence on facebook, twitter, and linkedin galway working to expand its capabilities. One problem the approximate is a engagement session held by bipartisan teams consisting of our board of elections director and Deputy Director on facebook live. It is held twice a week at noon for 10 or 15 minutes to provide information and updates on the 2020 election, to address relevant deadlines, to answer questions and address erroneous information brought to our attention. We post pertinent information on all social Media Outlets weekly and all of this and more often if we need to in an effort to counter in accurate and dangerous disinformation messaging being circulated in traditional media as well as social media. Weve been thinking about ways Congress Might help boards of elections combat misinformation, additional funding to allow robust Community Outreach and Voter Education programming, hiring additional staff to work with voters, earmarking of dollars for social media capabilities would be welcome. I am hopeful the information i shared with you today will help you to consider ways to stop election misinformation and restore voter confidence in our election process. Thank you for the opportunity to speak to you today and it is appropriate we are having a hearing on Voter Education and im pleased to be here to share and answer any questions you may have, thank you. Let me just say that this morning a couple members of my staff down by the board of elections, video of people lined up all the way around the block on the very first day of them person voting. Thank you so much for inviting me to testify. I am Spencer Overton with americas black think tank, my research focuses on Voter Suppression. Online disinformation is not simply dividing our nation. Foreign and domestic actors are using lies to specifically target and suppress black votes right now just like wood and wind spread wildfire social media platforms are fueling the spread of lies that are undermining our democracy. This crisis is not hypothetical. In 2016, an Organization Associated with Russian Military intelligence constructed fake accounts that urged black people to protest by not voting. The russians directed 38 of us facebook ad buys to africanamericans even though black folks were only 13 of the us population. In 2016 the Trump Campaign divided millions of americans into several categories including a category the campaign itself called deterrence. They were targeted with tailored social media ads discouraging them from voting. Black voters were disproportionately singled out. For example although African Americans account for only 22 of North Carolinas population they were 46 of the North Carolina voters labeled as deterrence. Overall the Trump Campaign labeled 3. 5 million black voters for deterrence. The 2016 president ial election marked the most significant decline in black voter turnout in modern history. With that record it is no surprise these efforts are continuing in 2020. During the democratic president ial primary the russians targeted black users with online disinformation about senator kamala harris. In march of 2020, facebook and twitter acknowledged they removed a network of russian backed accounts originating in canada and nigeria the targeted black communities in the us. Last month the department of Homeland Security revealed russia is attempting to promote false statements online that mailin ballots are riddled with fraud. When some social Media Companies started to remove the lies the Trump Administration retaliated by issuing an executive order to amend section 230 of the Communications Decency act which gives social Media Companies power to remove disinformation that is obtained, violent or objectionable without risk of legal liability. The Trump Administration proposal would preserve the power of platforms to remove obscene and excessively violent content that would eliminate their power to remove other objectionable content like election disinformation. Of the trump proposals were adopted companies could risk legal liability for removing ads targeted at black users telling them lies like you cant vote if someone in your household has committed a crime. Private companies removing lies about our elections does not stifle free speech, this elevates civil rights in our democracy. Many of these platforms are not simply unmoderated community billboards, but instead are carefully crafted algorithms to grab the users attention and maximize ad revenue. Just as companies remove adult pornography without violating speech they should remove false voting information. Many of the worlds most Profitable Companies should not profit from discrimination against our marginalized communities. Mark zuckerberg said, quote, voting is the most powerful expression of democracy, he and other Tech Companies must take boulder action to end Voter Suppression. So while the russians and the Trump Campaign by misleading ads targeted at black voters to persuade them not to vote the Trump Administration pushes to rewrite federal law so the platforms cant remove disinformation about elections. We need companies to unequivocally stand up and promote all remove all disinformation to prevent a repeat of 2016. I want to be clear. Online platforms made progress but they need to do more. I look forward to talking about that in q and a. We have less than a month to prevent the burning of our democracy. We need all hands on the bucket line. Thank you and i look forward to our discussion. Time for members to ask questions. Let me just say there are no republicans on this call and i would suggest by their absence they have either decided they are not concerned about this topic at best they dont care to be involved in this discussion. With that i will now recognize mister butterfield, who was important enough to him to be part of this discussion. You are recognized for five minutes. Thank you, good to see my democratic colleagues today. My democratic colleagues saw the wisdom in participating this conversation today. We will give the witnesses we have a thank you, to all the witnesses, for your testimony. Let me the gentleman election assistance commission, thank you for all that you do for our country. I need to expand the conversation about disinformation subject. Spencer overton touched on it. It is so important. Was resources, what initiatives are state and local officials utilizing to combat such misinformation and disinformation. What resources are the states using, local cities and counties using . Appreciate the question. When we talk about trusted forces, trusted info 2020 effort, all about getting people to their standard local Election Officials. I mentioned as act funding in my testimony earlier, we start from a lot of states that they were going to use a portion of that funding to work on Voter Education and that is a huge issue, certainly different states are administering different processes. We heard from a couple witnesses, we are going to see a recordsetting mail or absentee ballot do they have the resources that they need . We have a hearing where we were doing primary Lessons Learned between that and a number of other conversations, we consistently heard about the need for additional funding. Elections are underresourced traditionally. The federal funding that has come through has made a big difference but there is a need for more and we consistently hear from Election Officials about the need for an annual funding stream that allows them. Im most familiar with resources to conduct that. Thank you very much for your testimony and the incredible work you do on behalf of black america every day. You talked about social media and how awful this disinformation can be. What is the role of social media in efforts to suppress voting in black communities, you said they are doing better but are they really doing better . First of all i want to acknowledge, your father played a pivotal role in furthering Voting Rights, he would be proud of you and your contributions to Voting Rights in terms of changing wilson and their atlarge system so thank you. In terms of these companies they need to do a lot more. They need to step up to the place. There are a few things they are doing in terms of counting moderation but they need to do more in terms of a more rigorous definition of Voter Suppression. They need more transparency so that we know what is really happening with enforcement. I they effective in terms of enforcement so there are several things they need to be doing to step up their game and let me say this. Weve got to press him because they are key in terms of preventing Voter Suppression, getting a lot of pressure from this administration and they need to know people are paying attention. I certainly think local and state Election Officials have a role to play, what recommendations can you say to state and local Election Officials to be sure, they guarantee black and brown voters are not the Brennan Center put out a good document on this and i refer people to go there, basically it is providing Accurate Information and being a trusted source of information. We heard some of these recommendations from our witnesses and that is key in terms of the critical place to go where there is Accurate Information. In the final 30 seconds what can voters do to guarantee their votes are not discarded . They need to recognize what they see online may be false. They need to Pay Attention to that. If there voting by mail, ballots rejected because of something that wasnt filled out they need to Pay Attention in terms of voting by mail. Theyve got to participate. Dont be discouraged, participation is critical. I will spread that throughout my district. I yield back. Weve not been joined by the chair of the committee, madam chair, you are recognized. I think you very much, i just wanted to hop on for a few minutes to listen to this incredible panel and also to think you for your leadership as chair of the elections subcommittee and the members who have joined you today. I wish our colleagues across the aisle had joined us and maybe they still will. That would be important because it should not be a partisan issue, the idea of every american being able to cast their votes freely and to have the vote counted as cast which is the bottom line for america. What youre doing today is important in terms of shining a spotlight on what the issues are but also telling each and every one of us as community leaders, as voters, what we can do to make sure that goal, every american citizen gets the chance to cast their votes so thank you so much for doing this. I will hop off in a minute to another obligation but i didnt want to pass up the opportunity to listen into thank you once again for the leadership you have shown. Thank you for joining us, we very much appreciate that we know how busy your schedule is and appreciate you joining us. I will now recognize Mister Aguilar of california. Thank you for your steadfast leadership on Voting Rights in the committees focus on this topic. As i said in his career goal should be to remove the barriers that prevent americans from voting in right now that means making sure it is safe in the midst of the pandemic and safe and effective form we know our speakers talked about was utilizing mail in ballots which allow americans to vote safely from their homes and despite claims by the minority on this committee and i wish they were here to defend themselves about this topic there is no significant risk of voter fraud associated with mail in balloting with these claims could also misinform millions of americans as they create their plan to vote. Election express across the political spectrum agree voting fraud is exceedingly rare. With you want to trust the Brennan Center for justice or the heritage foundations database tracking voter fraud the results are the same. The actual fraudulent vote by mail votes cast over the past two decades are minuscule. There is no legitimate concern over voter fraud yet it is more likely for americans to get struck by lightning been to commit mail voting fraud. The voter fraud is more rare than winning the mega millions. Misinformation about voting by mail is dangerous and could cause millions of americans to alter their plan and that would be a mistake and exercising their right to vote and thats why House Democrats oppose numerous bills to this committee and through the full house to help americans vote safely, accurately and without fraud during this pandemic and we need to continue to do that. My question to mister Spencer Overton, we seen misinformation targeting communities of color, from foreign state actors including iran and russia have attempted to change the political opinion of minority voters to depress voter turnout. Weve seen this despicable information and Disinformation Campaigns from fellow americans. October 1st two americans were charged with conspiring to intimidate voters in violation of election law. These individuals sent thousands of robles the book also africanamerican communities and at least 5 states celebes residents voting by mail in the upcoming election is subject to their arrest, and enforced vaccination. What can we do to fight this Misinformation Campaign from foreign actors and even our own fellow citizens. Thank you for that question and what is really important about your question is it illustrates the evolving nature of Voter Suppression. Weve had robocalls happen in the past in michigan and across the country, 12,000 deport residents were targeted by these robocalls to discourage them from voting, impersonating trying to pretend they were someone from the community, we see the same thing with regard to social media. This is an evolution with regard to social media. In terms of specific steps people have to recognize, individuals have to recognize there is a lot of misinformation that is out there, trust credible sources to go to your Election Officials website and get Accurate Information. They need, your language, develop a plan to vote. That is incredibly important. Have a plan and goahead and go out and vote now. Dont be deterred. So many people would say in 2016, lets protest all that is going on, processes race and not vote. That was an attempt to suppress voters of color. Cant fall into the trap, theyve got to get good information and participate. Is more voters are voting early, numbers are over 1 Million People already voted, chairperson phillips mentioned in her own communities of people are already voting. Im concerned that right now is the time these Disinformation Campaigns are going to ramp up their efforts because many people know their political interests are not served when more people exercise the right to vote so thats what concerns me is what we have to be on the lookout for. I ask unanimous consent that a september 30th published in the New York Times entitled study finds largest driver of coronavirus mismanagement trump be entered into the record and a september 30th piece from the New York Times magazine entitled the attack on voting, how Donald Trumps false claim of voter fraud is being used to disenfranchise americans. That they both be entered into the record. Without objections so ordered, thank you. Mister raskin recognized for five minutes. Thanks for your leadership in calling this hearing and making sure we are staying laser focused on the integrity and fairness of this election. I want to go to my friend Spencer Overton first, donald trump has been engaged in a lot of fucking district disinformation already about the election calling the fraud, a scam, a hoax, millions of the ballots and all of that stuff. This discourages and depresses voting. Demoralizes voters and provides a smokescreen and fog of propaganda for state legislatures that may be trying to depress turnout, maybe trying to discredit what could be a landslide popular vote based on the polls today for joe biden and replace the popular vote with electors that have been appointed directly by the state legislature so the question of propaganda disinformation is very important in terms of us trying to preserve the integrity of popular democracy in the state in this president ial election. I wonder if you would comment about facebook, twitter has implemented a ban on all political ads on its platform, it will bad fan political beds as referencing the election after november 3rd through january 6th. Facebook said Something Interesting which is false and misleading ads from october 20 seventh to november 3rd but we know that there could be just as slow of propaganda coming on facebook after the election to cast doubt on the Election Results falsely portraying trump as the winner where he is not the winner and so on. Would you comment on what facebook has done so far and i wonder specifically if you think facebook should continually ban false or misleading information after november 3rd up until the Electoral College votes are cast and counted in january in congress . Thank you so much. First of all such a strong commitment to democracy in terms of including eliminating the wealth primary that prevents so many candidates from entering democracy, your strong support for securing Voting Rights to returning citizens. I am a fan of your writing in terms of your scholarship so thank you so much. Facebook needs to do a number of things, they certainly have to prohibit politicians, they have a double standard in terms of politicians and allowing politicians to promote false or misleading information. They need to ensure before the election and after the election when ballots are being counted there is no false or misleading information and they need to strengthen the definition of Voter Suppression. They would also say theyve got 35,000 content moderators. They also have 2. 7 billion monthly active users around the world working out to one moderator for 77,000 users. There are a number of things they have to step up to the plate on. Part of it is between now and november 3rd but after november 3rd is also critical. Thank you. Facebook has been used as a powerful instrument of disinformation, racial and ethnic propagandistic violence because several unrest and atrocities in sudan, myanmar and so on. With the commission you are suggesting be working on making sure we dont get propaganda towards the goal on creating violence in the streets which seems to have been coached all the way to the top by donald trump at the debate telling racist and violent organization proud boys to stand by. That is exactly right. We need a commission to move forward to make sure the attack by foreign adversaries does not continually happen every election, that goes from homegrown misinformation to scanning of election infrastructure to this information we are seeing in this comments about the problems have real effects. As secretary of state responsible for ensuring americans from all communities have access to the polls it is very important to say Voter Suppression is often systemic racism and when you have the leader of the free world calling on neonazis in the election process that is Voter Suppression. When you have the president calling on law enforcement, tactics trade out of the jim crow south that is Voter Suppression but i think number one we have to counter misinformation in Foreign Countries and difference but i hope we continue a conversation after november about what it means to be an american citizen and what access every american citizen has. In colorado we have accessible elections. Every american deserves to have a mail ballot, access to early voting, online registration and sameday Voter Registration just like colorado to truly realize what it means to be a citizen in this country. My time is up but can i ask unanimous consent two articles be entered into the record, what is a september 8th Washington Post piece entitled republicans have insufficient evidence to call elections rigged and september 20th article from the post entitled Cambridge Analytic database identifies black voters is right for deterrence. Without objections awarded. I will now recognize myself for five minutes. To both of the ladies on the panel we will start with miss davis chapelle. What do you say to people who say there is no Voter Suppression, look at the lines around the building today, what is it you say to this . Voter suppression can be seen in those lines, can be seen in the messages, can be seen in a way that we have in ohio restricted their ability to vote, we have burdened their right to vote. The constitutional effect would say we have put structures in place to burden their rights. We have one dropbox, this is about messaging today but it is about Voter Suppression. We have one dropbox for delivery of a ballot in a tiny parking lot next to our administrative building, for 860,000 voters. It makes absolutely no sense at all. One location under state law where voters can must come to vote in person. It makes no sense was we made a more robust manner in which folks can participate. I would tell people not to be discouraged, they do need to take part in take their job seriously but we have an obligation as boards of elections to make it easier for folks to cast their ballots. People say we have to have only one, a dropbox doesnt know where it democratic or republican ballot it doesnt make any sense. I want people to be encouraged. We do need to tackle social media but we need blocking and tackling tools for Voter Engagement and that is in person. This pandemic has created a problem. The board of elections, i will defer to my female colleagues. We had 220 we had zoom calls, voter sessions that weve been able to do with three staffers. We need funding and earmarking for more robust Voter Engagement and Voter Education programs for boards of elections to counter as best we can all the other messages that are being put out. Before we go to the secretary. The numbers we are seeing across the country and certainly secretary griswolds state has been doing it for a long time. What do they do . Thousands of mail in ballots, what do you do . We have been able to vote by mail successfully in Cuyahoga County. We are processing them, not tabulating, we are readying them to be processed. We are on the side of accuracy, not speed. We are going to have lots of issues in terms of the volume which is a good thing but we will accurately count every ballot that is cast. I know that you actually sued the Postal Service because they were giving out misinformation to your resident. Tell us how you handle the situation . It is important as secretary of state back against false election information and get voters correct information and that is right, the United States Postal Service won a restraining order about postcards with wrong information for colorado voters and also sued on a multistate litigation a restraining order also to make sure the Postal Service does not make her operational changes and we won both of those restraining orders but i do think it highlights the need for national standards. The idea we have misinformation undermining vote by mail which is the most responsible way to vote during a pandemic can harm americans lives. Colorado is proof of how wonderful a good election model can work. We have the highest percentage of active voters registered. We be the nation in turn out where number one or number 2 in participation, this makes us more secure. Russia, a foreign adversary cannot hack a piece of paper and lastly participation, we saw an increase of participation when we adopted vote by mail by all but 9 including 13 among black voters, 10 among latino voters and 16 among Younger Voters so i do think it would love to see the further expansion of colorados election model. It works and every american deserves the same access colorado does. Change clothing with this question, what if any one thing do you believe congress can do outside of resources, we know what kind of battle that is. We put the resources into two bills that have not been passed. Was one thing that you think congress can do to assure the American People that we are doing the best we can to make sure their ballots count and the system is fair . Thank you, absolutely, this is critical, particularly 28 days out. One of the privileges of by job, i get to travel around the country in normal times, behindthescenes processes, see what Election Officials are doing at all the checks and balances that go into the process. Congress has an ability to tell voters about that and as we echoed a lot today the importance of having a plan understanding the process, how to participate. One thing i am proud of, we partnered with the Cybersecurity Infrastructure and Security Agency on a product called the 3 ps of voting and saying to voters you need to be prepared, participating, and patient. That really is about checking your Voter Registration, making sure you are updated, knowing how you want to vote this year. Several options most americans have by mail or absentee ballot, earlier in person or early on election day, figuring out what is best for you as an american, how to engage in the process and knowing that Election Night results are official, that is something the media usually does or they make calls but Election Officials to the degree Election Officials are reporting, there is a canvas and certification process that happens on election day and that is where Election Officials. The eyes, cross 20s and check the map where you make sure the numbers are right where every american votes and helping people understand more of that process, the trusted sources where they get that information is crucial. Inajo Davis Chappell. I was a trusted servant and encourage you to use your bully pulpit, to use your platform, your constituent and to give them the assurance they need to be confident, that local Election Administrators are doing their job, to help debunk these myths. It is important to the extent we get messaging out, it is helpful to the voting population and all your constituents, be helpful to the Election Administrators. I would say number one, i am confident of our elections in colorado, the first thing i would suggest is make sure all of you are using platforms to push out the message ignore the noise, find your trusted source of election information, make a plan to vote and if you have access to a mail ballot vote by mail ballot, the best way to vote during a pandemic and allows us to social distance and have our voice heard but second, we continue the conversation after november because there is an attack on everyday people in our democracy. I grew up working in a cabin in rural colorado. There are so many people like me, normal Everyday Americans losing faith in our democracy because the Voter Suppression tactics we see, the misinformation or special interests. I really encourage as we move past november, reformed holistic we. At the state level in the nation next year to fight against special interests, campaignfinance reform and all the tenets of democracy reform, i look forward to seeing what you view in the coming months, and colorado. Last but not least, Spencer Overton. Thank you for your field hearings for real voters. Members of congress encourage people to vote and ensure there is good information out there before the election and after the election. Donald trump misinformation about vote by mail has been promoted by the russians. They take screenshots and using a fake account, promote them around to discourage people from participating and encourage them to lose faith in our system. There has to be a counter to that. Tech Companies Need to be held accountable to make sure they are removing disinformation. With the 230 debate the Trump Administration is working to discourage them from removing disinformation and there needs to be a loud counter voice. And removing this information, finally, being prepared to immediately reform democracy in january, that is critical here whether it is hr one which is a great start, updating the Voting Rights act, dc statehood. At the beginning of the obama administration, Affordable Healthcare Act and my take is we should have done more to prioritize democracy, i urge you to participate prioritize all of americans in terms of democrats. It is a busy time for all of us as we are all on the ballot. I think all the witnesses. Each of you has a busy schedule, voting started in all the various jurisdictions. I know how busy you are. I am going to predict today that the American People are still discouraged by the attacks on our democracy that they will vote in bigger numbers than anyone can imagine. I believe americans have a real sense of fundamental fairness, a sense of what it means to be leave and support the constitution. What they believe is elections do matter. The job will be cut out for you. You will be inundated and we are going to show our colleagues that there is nothing you can do to kill this democracy. Is bigger than you, it is stronger than you. It is more resilient than you are and we are going to win this election. The people will win the election because we are going to exercise our right to vote no matter what obstacles are put in a way, what roadblocks you put in our way, we will do with this country has always done, do what is right. I will thank you all and encourage you to know the we are fighting for you, do the best we know how. Something i say every day about voters. If we ever get in opposed addition to do the things we need to do for you we will, i give you my word. If this election goes the way i want this election to go, all these states that do this the right way. To not be afraid to be intimidated because sending poll watchers to watch, this is the end. Thanks, everybody. Appreciate it. Republican incumbent senator david perdue and democratic candidate john ossoff take place in a televised debate at 7 eastern on cspan, online, cspan. Org or listen with the free cspan radio apps. American history tv on cspan 3 exploring the people and events that tell the american story. Today at 5 00 pm eastern, hunting likeman on the hunting of adolf eichmann. On the civil war, a look at black prisoners of war from the confederacy with caroline would newhall, fellow at the Virginia Center for civil war study. Sunday at 9 am eastern the finally made between Ronald Reagan and Walter Mondale and 10 30 a. M. Eastern the debate between George H W Bush and michael dukakis. At 4 00 pm eastern on real america john f. Kennedys 1960