WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar today underscored the importance of protecting voting rights for all Americans.  At a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing with Congressmen John Lewis and James Sensenbrenner, Klobuchar highlighted the need for Congress to take action to address the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision in Shelby County v. Holder, which struck down key parts of the Voting Rights Act. Earlier this year, Klobuchar introduced legislation with Senator John Tester (D-MT) to make it easier for Americans to vote. TheSame Day Registration Act, modeled after Minnesota law would require states to allow individuals to register to vote on the same day as the election. 

“The right to vote is the cornerstone of American democracy, and we should be doing everything in our power to make sure people can have their voices heard,” Klobuchar said. “Minnesota has been a leader in efforts to increase voting opportunities for citizens, including same-day registration. The right to vote should not be a partisan or controversial issue, and as a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee I will work with my colleagues on both sides to the aisle to address the Supreme Court’s decision and make sure all Americans have access to the polls.”

At the hearing, Klobuchar questioned Luz Urbaez Weinberg, Commissioner of the City of Aventura, Florida; Michael Carvin, a partner at Jones Day; and Justin Levitt, an Associate Professor of Law and Loyola Law School, about the impact of the Supreme Court’s decision in Shelby County v. Holder on Americans’ access to the polls.

Klobuchar also highlighted the success of Minnesota same-day registration in making it easier for people to vote. Minnesota has allowed same-day voter registration for many years and has one of the highest voter turnouts in the country.

Earlier this year Klobuchar traveled to Alabama with Congressman Lewis and visited several key sites of the civil rights movement including the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma.

###