Transcripts For CSPAN3 House Hearing On Voting Rights Misinformation 20240712

Carolina. Mr. From california, and mass mr. Raskins for maryland. As we begin, i want to note we are holding this hearing in compliance with the regulations for a Committee Hearings pursuant to the House Resolution nine 65. Generally, the committee would keep microphones muted, to limit that ground noise. Members will need to unmute themselves when seeking recognition, or when recognize for their five minutes. Witnesses will need to unmute themselves one recognize for their five minutes, or when asked for the questions. Members and witnesses please keep your camera on at all times. Even if him 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 and extend the remarks, and that any written statements be made part of the record. Hearing no objections, so ordered. Today, we are examining misinformation in the 2020 election. How the spread of false information harms voters, and what can be done to combat mismanagement armed with Accurate Information. This year, we cannot discuss election misinformation without also recognizing the press the persistent misinformation being spread about the ongoing covid19 pandemic. Americans need Accurate Information about how to cast their ballot, about the pandemic, and importantly, Accurate Information on how to cast their ballots in a manner that protects their health. Election day maybe for weeks from today, but voting is all already well underway. Overseas and military ballots were sent out to thousands of voters are few weeks ago. Absentee ballots can be requested now in return weeks ahead. More than 30 states are already mailin battle its to voters. Early in person voting began in many states over the last two weeks, and more will do so in the days and weeks ahead. Early voting begins in ohio today. The American People are voting, and will be voting now through november 3rd. During all of this, the president and others are waging an insidious campaign to so discord us distrust in our electoral process by spreading false claims that vote by mail us 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 then formation campaign, and attempts to interfere in our election. In 2016, when a group of americans were targeted more by Russian Internet Research Agency disinformation than African Americans. The American People deserve the truth. They deserve an election free from the real 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. With exceedingly rare instances of fraud. The truth is, as significantly more americans prepared to cast their ballot from homes here, then every before, the American People must be prepared that we may not know the winner of the election on the night of november 3rd. This does not mean anything is wrong with the election. The Election Night results are never final. Many states take days, if not weeks, to formally certify their election results. Many states also allow ballots that are mailed on election day, but received in the days after to be counted. The truth is that this is there is nothing nefarious, it is simply about counting ballots. The count must be accurate and that takes time. Every validly cast a vote should count, thats democracy. Votes mailed on election day are both cast on election day, and we should count them. Not spread fear and a lie about a rigged election. Misinformation being spread in the lead up to this years election, is a disservice to voters and a danger to our democracy. And our democratic institutions. The house passed 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. It is our duty to assure voters have all the necessary Accurate Information they need to cast their ballots freely, fairly, and safely. During the pandemic. And with confidence in our electoral system. I think all of our witnesses for being here today, i look forward to hearing their testimony. The Ranking Member is unfortunately unable to join us today. I ask unanimous consent that his statement be made part of the hearing record. Without objection, so ordered. Each of you, as i introduce will be recognized for five minutes. I will remind our witnesses that their entire written statements will be made part of the record, and that the record will remain open for at least five days for additional materials to be submitted. Another reminder to all of our witnesses, there is a timer on the screen, please be sure you can see the timer, and are mindful of the five minute limit. Joining us today, a commissioner with the u. S. Election assistance commission, and the commissions currents chief. He has confirmed was confirmed by unanimous consent in the senate on january 2nd 2019. He previously served as acting chief counsel, for the Senate Committee on rules and administrations. Jen agrees walled, is colorados 39th secretary of state. Secretary goes rolled will began her term on january 8th 2019 shes the youngest elected secretary of state in the country. Secretary griswold has practiced international and anti correctional law. Quote as Voter Protection attorney and previously served as the director of the governor of colorados. Shepell, as a member of the yoga county board of elections. Having served since her election of april 2007. She is a partner and shows the firms Nonprofit Group overton is the president at the joint Center Political and economic studies. He is also a tenured professor at the George Washington University School of law. He 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 know that we are holding this hearing, during National Voter election week. With that, i will now recognize members for their five minutes. We will begin today, with mr. Hovland you are recognized for five minutes. Good afternoon thank you chairperson and members of the committee i appreciate this opportunity to testify before you today. Regarding the u. S. Election systems commissions ongoing work in this important issue. Combatting misinformation and disinformation was one of the suspected a skews of the 2020 election. And the covid19 pandemic has only exacerbated the risk. Following the 2016 foreign interference in our election theres been an increased focused and dedication to the security of our elections. The department of Homeland Securitys designation of election structure thats critical has helped voters and coordinate efforts between federal state and local government agencies. As well as with private industry. This is led to a change of information sharing and coupled with the help [inaudible] has greatly improve the Security Posture of our elections that commitment to caring our liking has continued its impossible to discuss the 2020 election without acknowledging the impact of the covid19 pandemic. Since march and made the ongoing debates about the health of our communities and our economy Election Administrators have faced a difficult task of determining how to best about their practices and procedures to conduct safe to secure and accurate elections. At the eac we visited substantially to focus our attention on how we can support sake and a local Election Officials as they make these tough decisions. Theyve also distributed almost 1. 2 billion dollars, in grand funding to the states since 2018. This includes, 400 million from the recent c. A. R. E. S. Act funds, an additional Election Security funds authorized. These resources have proven vital to Election Administration Election Administrators have really risen to the childish during these difficult times. But the public servants, that administer luncheons can only do their best when it comes to limiting the impact of widespread misinformation and disinformation about our elections. Political campaigns and Interest Groups are spending billions of dollars to influence americans. Foreign adversaries or amplifying our divisions, and making Traditional Voter suppression tactics to dissuade participation, or provide inAccurate Information about 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 cant should help encourage americans confidence in our electoral process. By highlighting the great work of our Election Administrators. Additionally, supporting efforts like the National Association of secretaries of state drove interested in for 2020 campaign, are an integral part of ensuring americans get the right information on how to participate this year. Today, we are 28 days from election day. As chair person fudge mention. Ballots have been sent all across the country and around the world, a number of states have already begun early voting. And some registration deadlines have already passed. The most important things we can focus on at this point, are the basics. Serving voters well, and helping them to have a positive experience, whether they vote by mail or absentee violet, early in person, or on election day. Misinformation or disinformation can interfere with that. We must push back, not only against this intentional misleading disinformation, but also misinformation that maybe wellintentioned, or appropriate for citizens and one state or jurisdiction, but not in others. In the d. C. Area, for example, voters are registered in one of two states, or the district. Of course, social media does not stop in the state line. The reality is, the 50 states each run elections in their own unique way. They trusted info 2020 effort that i mentioned earlier, is about helping americans get Accurate Information about Election Administration from their state and local Election Officials. This is the trusted source for each voter, which provides correct information on how to participate. With all the new ways that surrounds this election it is crucial that 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, we know from the centers for Disease Control that limiting congesting in the polling places will help keep voting a safe as possible. Helping americans get Accurate Information about their voting options and how they can participate this year. Ensures that voters have the opportunities to vote on or before election day. Thank you again for the opportunity to testify today, i look forward to your questions. Thank you very much, commissioner, i appreciate your testimony. We will now hear from secretary griswold, you are now recognized for five minutes. Chairperson fudge thank you for your work on elections and for inviting me to this important hearing. My name is dana griswold, im colorado secretary of state. I look forward to sharing my views on combatting misinformation in the 2020 election. As colorados top election official, i believe Election Security is one of our greatest National Security risks. In Foreign Countries, interfere with our elections, it undermines faith in the entire electoral process. When voters doubt the process we are less likely to participate, which weekends the very nature of our democracy. Today i would like to briefly discuss the threats we are facing, what we are doing to combat then, and proposals for congressional action. The Intelligence Community and Bipartisan Senate select committee on intelligence, concluded that russia interfered in the 2016 election. We know that foreign enemies, primarily russia, are again trying to influence how we vote and undermine confidence in our elections. Based on reports from the, the fbi released the most pointed warnings to date, noting foreign actors may try to undermine confidence in the results. Foreign adversaries are right now, right this minute, meddling in our elections. We cannot allow this to continually happen. In response to ensure colorado remains at the forefront of election preparedness, and that colorado is remain confident in our process, i created the Rapid Response Election Security sovereignty unit. Known as rescue. The combat misinformation in emerging cyber threats. The rescue team is coordinating with partners to increase resilience to foreign misinformation on the electoral process. By implementing a Public Outreach effort to answer colorado and snow to ignore the noise and seek reliable election information. Ensuring my office can rapidly respond to misinformation on the electoral process by releasing Accurate Information. And ensuring county and non governmental partners work with us to rollout correct information. We are also working with the dhs and the fbi on additional measures. Following the election, the team will shift toward further increasing our cybersecurity defenses, and resilience to foreign interference. The team will stand up on cross date initiative to advance legislative and policy initiatives to counter foreign misinformation. On to the snow, last winter, before covid19 shut down our state legislator, i proposed legislation to combat foreign disinformation in colorado. The proposal, which i hope will become law, strengthens requirements to ensure paid election messages are not coming from foreign sources. Stop campaign, deepfake videos. Prohibits campaigns from coordinating with foreign governments. And creates a 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 leading on this, in our democracy demands it. Congress also has an Important Role to play from legislation for appropriations and warnings to the public about foreign adversaries efforts. To tackle election based misinformation i recommend the following congressional action. First, congress it established a commission with bipartisan representatives from state governments to develop recommendations to ensure that what happened in 2016, and its happening right now, never happens again. Second, congress should provide Adequate Funding to states for election cybersecurity, with a focus on increasing resilience to focus to foreign misinformation. Third, congress should require the Intelligence Community to rapidly declassify foreign misinformation. And work with part bipartisan representatives from state and federal government to roll out this information to the american public. And fourth, congress should consider legislation like we are doing in colorado to combat deep face election misinformation and foreign coordination. To this and, i also call on congress to remove the artificial protections afforded to social Media Companies. By section 2 30 of the 1996 Communications Decency act. Social Media Companies are not neutral platforms, Third Party Content posted on their sites can promote ill intentioned for an activity. They should no longer be shielded from accountability. While social media can be a tool for good adversaries can use it to their advantage, with precision never seen before. In closing, i am grateful for this opportunity to testify today, i am optimistic that with your leadership in partnership, we can counter foreign misinformation and ensure that every american has a democracy we can believe in. Thank you. Next guest, you are recognized for five minutes. Attorney chappell, you are recognized for five minutes. Thank you for the chair, honorable fudge, and to the other distinguished members of the United States house of representatives. I appreciate the opportunity to speak. In the 13 years i have served in the ohio court of elections, including the last three president ial elections, ive never witnessed the kinds of falsehoods being disseminated about the integrity of our elections process. That ive been seeing in this president ial cycle, the light at those rampant voting fraud has been tamp down some much of the campaign to discredit the integrity of our elections process. It is on the upswing, and it is shameful. The latest on truth being circulated in this election cycle around vote by mail being fraught with problems, have not diminished a number of voters requesting vote by mail ballots. It is bona fide election that voters have been voting by mail successfully since 2006. Ohio secretary of state has published a number of materials this year highlighting the goals and tactics of the this information campaigns we are seeing. These campaigns are quote, taking divisive issues, such as racialized gender, planting fake news, amplifying messages via extreme fringe groups, organizing protest and so forth. Using internet and social media to launch a massive influence campaigns, with the goal of subversion, civil unrest, and the creation of public discord. The campaigns are exploiting grievances, building distrust, and said ultimately discouraging voter participation. Secretary has noted there are number foreign bad actors, russia, korea, china, venezuela. Engaging in this campaign, sadly however make much of this misinformation is being promoted by President Trump, the white house and other domestic bad actors, who have unfairly demonized the vote by mail process in the process. Undermining public confidence. As Election Officials were committed to correcting this misinformation and disinformation and best we can in a number of ways. In response to the fabrications around the vote by mail process, the board of elections began implementing a new initiative to encourage voters to vote by mail, to maximize or safety in this pandemic. That initiative is called votes from home. Were also trying to separate fact from fiction by delivering counter messages, showing that vote by mail is safe and secure. We rolled out voting mid bust remastered just to debunk voting this with real facts. The mid buster messages are posted on social media, they speak to a variety of topics to giving voters Accurate Information about elections and the voting process. Samples of those messages were included with my written testimony. Our board of election is also ramped up efforts to connect with voters, with Voter Education, and Community Outreach, as a way to combat misinformation and disinformation efforts. We communicate regularly with over 300 community partners, including municipalities, nonprofit organizations, and our library systems. Although we only have three employees and our Community Outreach department, these individuals organized and present and events that educate and engage voters. We have a robust website and that provides information on all things voting, we vastly improved our social Media Presence on facebook, twitter, and linkedin. We are working to escape ban those capabilities, one problem a Voter Engagement session helped by bipartisan team, consisting of our board of elections director, and deputy director, on facebook live. This session tells twice a week, at noon for ten or 15 minutes to provide information and updates on the 2020 election. To address relevant outline, stance or questions, and address misinformation brought to our attention. We post pertinent information on all social Media Outlets weekly, and all of this more often if we need to. All of this is an effort to counter inaccurate and dangerous disinformation messaging, being circulated in both traditional media, as well as social media. Weve been thinking about ways Congress Might help two words of elections combat misinformation, additional funding, to allow for more robust Community Outreach and Voter Education programs. Hiring of additional staff, to work with voters, for improving social media capabilities would be welcome. I am really hopeful that information that i shared with you today, will help you as you consider ways to stop election misinformation, and to restore voter confidence in our elections process. Thank you for the opportunity to speak to you today, it is appropriate that we are having this hearing on Voter Education week, i am pleased to be here to share, i would be happy to answer any questions you have. Thank you. Thank you, let me just say that, this morning a couple of members of my staff happened to be down by the board of elections, and to the videos of people lined up all the way around the block. On the very first day of in person voting. Attorney your recognized for five minutes. Congresswoman fudge and committee members, thank you so much for inviting me to testify. My name is spencer overton, im president of the joint center, which is americas black think tank. Amid tenure law professor were my research focuses on Voter Suppression. Online disinformation is not simply dividing our nation. Foreign and domestic actors are using target and suppress black votes right now. Just like wood and wind spread a wildfire, social media platforms are fueling this afraid of lies that are undermining our democracy. This crisis is not hypothetical. In 2016, and Organization Associated with Russian Military intelligence. Erected fake accounts, pretending to be African Americans, they urge black people to protest by not voting. Russians directed 38 of their u. S. Facebook advise towards African Americans, even though black voter only 13 of the u. S. Population. Also, in 2016, the Trump Campaign divided millions of americans in the several categories, including a category that campaign itself called the the Campaign Mark were targeted deterrence voters, with tailored social media ads. Discouraging them from voting. 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, its no surprise that these efforts are continually in 2020. During the democratic president ial primary, the russian targeted black users with online disinformation. About Senate Senator kamala harris. In march 2020, facebook and twitter acknowledge they removed a network of russian backed accounts, originating in nigeria, and ghana, that targeted black communities in the u. S. Just last month, the department of Homeland Security revealed that russia is attempting to promote false statements online, and that mailin ballots are riddled with fraud. When some social Media Company started to remove these laws, the Trump Administration retaliated by issuing an executive order attempting to amend section 2 30 of the Communications Decency act. You remember that section 2 30 gives a social Media Company the power to remove disinformation, of either obscene, excessively violent, or otherwise objectionable without the risk of legal liability. The Trump Administration proposal purposes or the power platforms to remove obscene an excessively violent content, but would eliminate their power to remove all of their objectionable content, like election disinformation. If the trump proposals were adopted, companies could risk legal liability for removing ads, targeting users, telling them lies like, you cant vote if someone in your household is committed a crime. A private companys removing lies about our elections does not stifle free speech. This elevates civil rights and our democracy, many of these platforms are not simply i moderated community instead, theyre carefully crafted algorithms to grab the users attention and maximize ad revenue. Just as the companies remove adult pornography without violating speech, they should remove false voting information. Many of the worlds most Profitable Company should not profit from discrimination against many of our most marginalized communities. Even though Mark Zuckerberg said, quote, voting is voice and the single most powerful expression of democracy. He and other Tech Companies must take bolder actions to end Voter Suppression. Look while the russians and the Trump Campaign by misleading ads targeting 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 rather, all this disinformation to repeat to prevent a repeat from 2016. I want to be clear, Online Platforms have made progress, they need to do much more. I look forward to talking about that in q a, we have less than one month to Work Together to prevent the burning of our democracy. We need all hands on the bucket line. Thank you and i look forward to our discussion. Thank you very much, it is now time for our members to ask their questions. Let me just say, we will notice theres are no republicans on this call. I would suggest that by their absence, they have either decided that they are not concerned about this topic. Or at best, they dont care to be involved in this discussion. With that, i would now recognize mr. Butterfield, who is traveling as you can see when this issue was important enough for him, from his automobile, to be a part of this discussion. You are recognized for five minutes. Thank you very much, good to see all of my democratic colleagues here today. I too am disappointed that my republican colleagues did not see the wisdom in participating in this conversation today. We will hear from the witnesses we have, thank you to all of the witnesses for your testimony. Let me just start with the gentleman from the election assistance commission, thank you so for all the that you do for our country. I need to expand the conversation, more about the misinformation and disinformation subject. I think doctor its so critically important. What resources, what initiatives are states and local Election Officials utilizing to combat such misinformation and disinformation . What resources are the states using, and local cities and counties using . Thank you congressman, i appreciate the question and obviously when we talk about trusted sources, the trusted info 2020 effort. Thats all about getting people to their state or local election official. I mentioned the cares act funding, and my testimony earlier, certainly we heard from a lot of states that they will at least used a portion of that funding to look on work on Voter Education. Thats a huge issue this year, certainly as different states, are administering different prostheses, we heard from several of the witnesses. Were going to see a record setting use of law mail or absentee ballots this year. The states have the resources . Do they have the resources they need . We have a hearing, where we were doing primary lessons learned, between that and the number of other conversations, youve consistently heard about the need for additional funding. Obviously elections are under resource traditionally. The federal funding thats come through has made a big difference, but theres absolutely a need for more, we consistently hear from Election Officials about the need for an annual funding stream, a regular funding strain that allows for them i could tell you the states that are most familiar with, the resources are desperately needed. Let me go over to thank you so very much for your testimony. Thank you for all of the incredible work that you do, on behalf of black america every day. You talked a moment ago about social media, and how harmful misinformation can be. What is the role of social media and the efforts by foreign to suppress voting in black communities . You said they are doing better, are they really doing better . He has congressman, just first of all, i want to acknowledge. I know your father played a pivotal role in furthering Voting Rights, i know he would be proud of you, and your many contributions to Voting Rights, in terms of changing wilson and there are a large system and the Voting Rights. So thank you. In terms of these companies, they need to do a lot more. They need to step up to the plate, there are a few things that theyre doing in terms of content moderation. They need to do more in terms of a more rigorous definition of Voter Suppression. They need more transparency, so that we know whats really happening with them, with enforcement, are they effective in terms of their enforcement . There are several things that they need to be doing to step up their game. Let me just say this, weve got to press them, because they are key in terms of preventing Voter Suppression. Theyre getting a lot of pressure from this administration, they need to know that people are paying attention, and holding them accountable, to prevent Voter Suppression. I certainly think the state and local Election Officials have a role to play in all of this. What recommendations can you make to state and local Election Officials, to ensure, to guarantee, that black and brown voters are not misinformed . I think the center put out a very good document on this. I refer people to go there. Basically, its providing the Accurate Information that exists here. And being a trusted source of information. Weve heard some of these recommendations from our fellow witnesses, i think that is key in terms of critical place to go. Where there is Accurate Information, and ensuring that is all in the final 30 seconds, what can voters do, here to guarantee their votes are not discarded . They need to recognize law what they see online may be false. They need to Pay Attention to that, thats number one, number two, if theyre voting by mail. One of the big issues we see our ballots rejected because there was something that wasnt filled out. They need to just Pay Attention in terms of voting by mail. Most important thing, theyve got to participate. Dont be discouraged by whats happening, participation is critical. Thank you, i will spread that throughout my day strict. Thank you, i yield back. Thank you very much, we have now been joined by the chair of the full committee. From california, madam you are recognized. I thank you very much, madam chairwoman. I just wanted to hop on for a few minutes, to listen to this incredible panel. Also to thank you for your leadership as chair of the election subcommittee, and the members who have joined you today. I wish that our colleagues across the aisle had joined us, maybe they still will, that would be important. It should not be a partisan issue, the idea of every american being able to cast their vote freely, and to have that vote counted as cast. Which is just 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 that goal, every american citizen gets the chance to cast their vote. Thank you so much for doing this, im going to hop off in a minute to another obligation. But i didnt want to pass of the opportunity to listen and to thank you once again for the leadership youve shown. Like you so much madam chair for joining us. We very much appreciated, you know how busy your schedule is. I certainly appreciate you joining us. I now recognize mr. Aguilar of california, you are recognized for five minutes. Thank you chairwoman for your steadfast leadership on Voting Rights and for the committees focused on this topic. As ive said in this committee before. Our goal should be to remove the barriers that prevent americans from voting. Right now, that means making sure that its safe in the midst of a pandemic. One safe and effective form that we know, that our speakers talked about was utilizing mailin ballot. Which allow americans to vote safely from their homes. Despite claims by the minority on this committee, again, i wish they were here to defend themselves. About this topic. There is no significant risks of voter fraud associated with mailin ballots. These claims could also misinform millions of americans, as they create their plan to vote. Elections experts across the political spectrum agree that voting fraud is exceedingly rare. Whether you want to trust the Brendan 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 miniscule. There is no legitimate concern over voter fraud. Yet, its more likely for americans to get struck by lightning, then to commit mail voting fraud. Voter fraud is more rare than winning the mega millions. Misinformation about voting by mail is dangerous and could cost millions of americans to alter their plans, that would be a mistake. And exercising the right to vote. Thats why House Democrats have passed numerous bills through this committee, through the full house, to help americans vote safely, accurately, and without fraud during this pandemic. We need to continue to do that. My question, to mr. Over ten. Weve seen the growing misinformation targeting communities of color specifically. Social media post from foreign state actors, including iran and russia, have attempted to change the political opinions of minority voters to depress voter turnout. Weve seen this despicable information, and disinformation campaigns from fellow americans. On october 1st, two americans were charged with conspiring to intimidate voters in violation of election law. These two individuals and thousands of robocalls to African American actor can American Communities and five states, telling these residents that voting by mail in the upcoming election was subject to the arrest. The collection in forest vaccination. What can we do to fight this Misinformation Campaign . From foreign actors, and even our own fellow citizens. Congressman thank you so much for that question. Whats really important about your question is, it illustrates that the evolving nature of Voter Suppression. Weve had robocalls happened in the past, they happen in this election as you mentioned, in michigan, and really across the country. In michigan, 12,000 detroit residents were targeted with these robocalls. They basically discourage them from voting. They were impersonating, trying to pretend that they were someone from the community, here in terms of the speaker etc. We see that same thing with regard to social media. This is kind of of an evolution in terms of platforms with regards to social media. In terms of specific steps, again, people have to recognize, and the vigils have to recognize it is a lot of misinformation that is out there. And trust credible sources to go to your Elections Officials website, and get Accurate Information. As you said, your language, develop a plan to vote. Thats incredibly important, have a plan and go ahead and go out and vote. So dont be discouraged, theres so many people who would say as you know, in 2016, hey lets protest all of this is going on, lets protest this racism and not vote. That was an attempt to basically surprise voters of color. People cannot fall and the track, they have to get good information and they have to participate. As more and more voters are voting early. I think the numbers are over 1 Million People have already voted, chairperson forged, mentioned in her own communities how people are already voting, i am concerned that right now is the time these disinformation campaigns are going to ramp up their efforts. Because, many people know, their political interest are not served when more people exercise the right to vote. Thats what concerns me, what we have to be on the lookout for. Madam chair, i ask unanimous consent that a september 30th article published in the New York Times, entitled, study finds largest driver of coronavirus mismanagement, trump, be met entered into the record. A september 30th piece, from the New York Times magazine, entitled, the attack on voting how President Trumps false claims of voter fraud is being used to disenfranchise americans. That the both be entered into the record . Without objection so ordered. Thank you. Thank you. Mr. Raskin, you are now recognized for five minutes. Madam chair thanks for your great leadership for calling this hearing. And making sure that we are staying laser focused on the integrity and fairness of this election, i want to go to my friend spencer first. Welcome professor, President Trump has been engaged in a lot of disinformation already about the election, calling it a fraud, a scam, a hoax millions of fake wallets and all of that stuff. This itself discourages and depresses voting, it demoralize as voters. It also provides a smokescreen and a fog of propaganda for state legislators. That may be trying to depress turnout, maybe trying to spread it. What could be a landslide popular vote, based on the polls today for joe biden. And replace the popular vote with electorates that have been appointed directly by the state legislator. This question of propaganda, disinformation, it is very important in terms of us trying to preserve the integrity of popular democracy in the states in this president ial election. I wonder if you would comment about facebook. I know twitter has implemented a ban on all political ads on its platform. Google has said it will ban political ads, ads that are referencing the election in and candidates. After november 3rd through january six. Facebook has said something interesting, it will prohibit false and misleading ads from october 27th to november 3rd. We know that there could be just a slew of propaganda coming on facebook after the election. To try and cast doubt on the election results. Falsely portraying trump and the winner where he is not the winner. Would you comment on what facebook has done so far . I wonder specifically, if you think facebook should continue its ban on false and misleading information. After november 3rd. All the way up until the Electoral College votes are cast and counted. In january, in congress. Thank you so much just first of all i have to acknowledge you had such a strong commitment to democracy in terms of including, a limiting the wealth primary that prevents so many good candidates from entering democracy. Your strong support for restoring Voting Rights to returning citizens. I am a fan of your writings in terms of your scholarships. Thank you so much. Facebook needs to do a number of things, number one, they certainly have to prohibit politicians. Right now they have a dual standard here in terms of politicians. In allowing politicians to promote false and misleading misinformation. They need to ensure that before the election and after the election, when the ballots are being counted. That there is no false and misleading information. They all sought to strengthen their definition of Voter Suppression. They would also say that they have 35,000 content moderators. They also have 2. 7 billion monthly active users around the world. So that works out to about, one moderator percent of any 7000 users. There are a number of things that have to step up to the plate, part of it is between now and november 3rd. That period after november 3rd, as you pointed out, is also critical. Thank you, mrs. Griswold, facebook has been used as a powerful instrument of disinformation, racial and ethnic propagandistic violence. That has caused civil unrest, even mass atrocities in countries like sudan, ethiopia, and so on. With the commission that youre suggesting also be working on making sure that we dont get propaganda towards the goal of creating violence in the streets . Which seems to be all the way to the top, even including President Trump at the debate, telling the racist and violent organization proud boys, to stand by. Congressman, thats exactly right. I think we need a commission to really move forward to make sure that this attack on our nations democracy, from foreign adversaries. Does not continually happen every election. So that goes from, homegrown misinformation to the scanning of election infrastructure disinformation that were seeing. Those comments about the proud boys, have real effect. As the secretary of state responsible for ensuring that americans from all communities have access to the polls. I think its very important to say, that Voter Suppression is often systemic racism. When you have the leader of the free world calling on nazis, in the election process, that is Voter Suppression. When you have the president calling on law enforcement, which is a tactic straight out of the jim crow south, that is Voter Suppression. I do think that number one, we have to tackle misinformation and Foreign Countries interference, but number two, i hope we continue a conversation after november, about what it means to be an american citizen, and what access every american citizen has. And colorado, we have accessible elections. Every american deserves to have a mail ballot, access to early voting, online voter registration, and same day voter registration, just like people in colorado. The truly realized what it means to be a citizen in this country. My time as a madam chair, can i request unanimous consent for two articles to be entered in the record. One is a september 8th washington post. They have insufficient evidence to call elections rigged, in this of temper 20th article from the post and titled Cambridge Analytica database, identify black voters as right for deterrence. Absolutely, without objection so ordered. I will now recognize myself for five minutes. To vote for the ladies on the panel. Well start with miss chappell, when you say to the people, theres no Voter Suppression, look at the lines around your building today. What is it that you say to them . Voter suppression can be seen in those lines, can be seen in the messages but also can be seen in the way that we have ohio, restricted their ability to vote. We have burdened the way to vote. Theres constitutional list that would say we have on put structures in place to burden their right. We have one drop box, i know this is about messaging today but it is about Voter Suppression. We have one drop box for delivery of a ballot in a tiny parking lot next to our administrative building. For 850,000 voters. It makes absolutely no sense, at all. You know one location, under state law, where voters must come to vote in person it makes no centers, we need a more robust manner in which folks can participate. More centers. Ive been telling people not to be discouraged, and they do need to take hard and their jobs fiercely, but we have an obligation as board of election to make it easier for folks to cast our ballots. I find it so interesting because people say, oh, a trump box doesnt know whether its a republican ballot, a democratic ballot, it doesnt make any sense. But i want people to be encourage, we do need to tackle social media, but we need tackling tools for Voter Engagement. And that is in person. And this pandemic has created a problem. I will say, the board of elections, and i will defer to my female colleague. We do we have had 220 in person voting, im sorry, zoom kind of calls and sessions that we have been able to do with three staffers. We need funding for a more robust Voter Engagement, and voter indication program, for upwards of election so we can counter as much best we can, all of the other messages that are being put out. Really quickly, before we go to the second. Chair with a numbers that we are seeing now, across the country, certainly with the secretary, they have been doing this for a long time. How do we how do we do it without the resources . What are we doing if we have hundreds of thousands of mailing ballots, that had to be fit into a machine, what do you do . I want to jump to the secretary. Yeah, we have been able to vote by mail successfully in this county. We are processing them, not tabulating ballots. We are readying them to be process. But we hear, on the site of accuracy not on the side of speed, were gonna have lots of issues in terms of the volume, which is a good thing. But we will accurately count every ballot that is gassed. Thank you. And madam secretary, i know that you asked soon to the Postal Service, because you are giving out misinformation to your residents. Tell us how you handled the situation. Well madam chair, i think its important that the secretary of states push back against false election information, and to get the voters are correct information. And that is right, we suit the United States Postal Service, and won a restraining order about a postcard with wrong information for colorado voters. And also, sued on a multi state litigation, and got a restraining order, also to make sure the Postal Service does not make operational changes. And we won both of those restraining orders. But i do think that it highlights the need for national standards. The idea that we have misinformation trying to undermine the vote by mail, which is the most responsible way to go during a pandemic, can harm americans lives. In colorado, its a proof of how wonderful and a good election model can work. We have the highest percentage of active voters registered. We also leads the nation in turn out, where usually number one or number two and participation. Vote by mail also makes us more secure. Russia, foreign adversary, they cannot hack a piece of paper. And lastly, it boosts participation. We saw an increase of participation when we adopted vote by mail for our, by 9 . Including, by 13 for black butters. 10 among latino voters. And 16 among young voters. So i do think, and i would love to see, a further expansion of colorados election model. It works and every american deserves this type of access that colorado has. Thank you. Im going to close with this question. I want each of you, and we will start with you commissioner, what if any one thing, do you believe congress can do, outside of resources. We know what kind of battle that is. Even though we put the resources into bills, that have not been passed by the house. What is one thing that you would think to congress can do to assure the American People that we are doing the best weekend to ensure their ballots count, and the system is safe . Thank you, chairperson. But absolutely. This is critical, particularly 28 days out. I think, one of the real privileges of my job, is that i get the travel around the country in normal times. And seeing these behind the scenes processes, weve seen what Election Officials are doing, and all the checks and balances day go in the process. Certainly, as leaders in your community, congress has an ability to tell voters about that. And again, as we talk about it today the importance of having a plan and understanding the process. Understanding how to participate. One thing ive been proud of, we have partnered with and instruct infrastructure and security, to called the three p of voting. We are telling the voters you need to be prepared, participating, and patient. And that really is about checking your registration, making sure you are updated, knowing how you want to vote, this year. Again, i mentioned the several different options, that most americans have, whether by mail or absentee ballot. Early in person, or ultimately on election day. Figuring out what is the best for you, as an american, how to engage in the process. And then that patient, knowing that Election Night results are always on official. You know, that is something the media usually does, where they make calls. But Election Officials, to the degree on secretaries or two of the official election websites, you see they are reporting. Those are always unofficial results, there is a certification process that happens after election day. And that is, you know ive been saying, thats where Election Officials cross the t and double check them up. Thats when you make sure the numbers are right, when you count every american vote. And i think, helping people understand more of that process, and again, knowing that they are state and local officials are the trusted source, and where they should get that information is crucial. Thank, you very much. Miss chappell . Yes, madam chair. You guys are a trusted service, i would encourage you to use your bulletproof pans, to use your platforms to reach out to your constituents. And to give them the assurance that they definitely need to be confident. They were local election administratives are doing their jobs. And to help us debunk a lot of these this mess. People listen to you guys, and i think its really important that to the extent that you could get help on your website, and in person, it will be very helpful to the voting population and to all of the constituents. It would be helpful to all of the Election Administrators. Thank you. Thank you. First of all thank you, madam chair person. I would say number one, i am extremely confident in our elections in colorado, even with all of this. And the first thing i would suggest is to make sure that all of you are using your platform to push out the message ignore the noise, find your trusted source of election information, to make a plan to vote, and if you have access to a male ballet, to vote by mail ballot. It is the best way to go during a pandemic. It allows us to social distance, and have our voices heard. But second, i think we have to continue this conversation after november. Acy. Because there is an attack n everyday people, and our democracy. You know, i grew up working class, up in a cabin, in rural colorado. And i will tell you, there are so many people like me who normally normal, every day normal americans, who are losing faith in our democracy. Either because of Voter Suppression tactics, the misinformation, or special interests or corruption. So i really encourage that as we move past november, that we need to focus on democracy reform policy. I i let the largest democracy reform at the state level, last year, to change the Campaign Finance reports. And all of these tenets of form of democracy relate to each other. So i look forward to see what you all do, in the coming months, and the coming years. And always happy to help from colorado. Thank you, and last but not least. Mr. Overton. Think you so much for your work, and for your hearing, to give a voice to real voters. Members of the congress they need to use their platform to both encourage people to vote and ensure there is good information out there, both before the election, and after the election. President trump misinformation about vote by mail is actually being promoted by the russians. They take screen shots of his tweets, and they are using their fake accounts, promote them around, to basically discourage people from participating. And it encourages them to lose faith in our system. So there has to be a counter to that. Almost, Tech Companies need to be held accountable to ensure they are removing them this information. Again, as i mentioned, with the 2 30 debate, the Trump Administration is working by discouraging them from removing disinformation, and there needs to be allowed counter voice just ensuring they are taking down and removing this misinformation. And finally, as secretary said, being prepared to immediately reform democracy in january. You know, that is incredible here, whether its hr1 which is a great start. Updating the Voting Rights act. I was at the beginning of the obama administration, in 2009, obviously the Health Care Act was important, but my take is we really should have done more to prioritize a democracy here. Including all americans. So i urge you to prioritize the inclusion of all americans, in terms of democratic reforms. Well, thank you all, so very much. He let me turn to my colleagues. I know this is a very busy time for all of us, as we are all on the ballot. And i know its difficult to find some time to get away. I think all of the witnesses, i know each of you has a very busy schedule as well, these elections have already started, voting has started. And all of you have various jurisdictions. Mister commissioner, i know how busy you. Our but i will just say this. In the absence of my friends, i am going to predict today that the American People are so discouraged, why the attacks on our democracy, that they are going to vote in bigger numbers than anyone can imagine. I believe that americans have a real sense of fundamental fairness. They have a sense of what it means to believe and support the constitution, they believe its that elections do matter. So i know the job will be cut out for you, because you are going to be inundated with ballots. So from now, for the next month, youre going to be inundated. And we are going to show our colleagues, and the president of the United States, there is nothing you can do to kill this democracy. It 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 are going to win the election. Because we are going to exercise our right to vote, no matter what obstacle you put in our way, no matter what roadblock you put in our way. We are going to do with this country has always done, do what is right. So i want to thank you all, and encourage you to know that we are fighting for you, in the best way we know how. I Say Something like this every day. We are on your side, and if ever we can get in a position where we can do the things we need to do for you, we will, i will give you my word. Commissioner, know that if this election goes the way i want this election to go, we will be coming to you with the resources to get to all of these states, to do this the right way. And to not be afraid to cast their ballot. Not be afraid to be intimidated because somebody says im gonna send poll watchers to watch you. This is the end. Thanks everybody, i appreciate you so so much. Have a great rest of the day. Weeknights this month, on American History tv we are featuring the contenders. Our series to look at 14 president ial candidates who lost the election, but had a lasting effect on u. S. Politics. Tonight, we featured former u. S. Senator from south dakota, george mcgovern, he was a democratic president ial nominee in 1972. Watch tonight, beginning at eight eastern, enjoy American History tv. This week and every weekend, on cspan 3. By of you and your tv. This is a wmu our commitment 2020 special in partnership with the New Hampshire institute of politics. The Granite State debate. Tonight, the candidates for governor. The Granite State debate. Tonight, the candidates for governor