Virginia’s Online Voter Registration System Crashes,
Locking Out Eligible Voters on Day of Registration Deadline
Washington, D.C., October 18, 2016 – After receiving and investigating reports indicating that Virginia’s Online Voter Registration system crashed and malfunctioned, denying people a fair opportunity to register to vote on the day of the voter registration deadline, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law has issued a letter urging state officials to take immediate action by extending the voter registration deadline. This extension will accommodate aspiring voters across the state who were denied the opportunity to register to vote because of this technological failure.
“All eligible citizens deserve a fair opportunity to register to vote,” said Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. “Aspiring voters across the state of Virginia were denied the right to vote because Virginia’s Online Voter Registration system crashed at a very critical moment. The impact of the state’s error was exacerbated by the fact that it happened on a day in which we historically have seen registration rates peak. Eligible voters should not be penalized for the state’s failure. “
Voters who have questions about their registration status are urged to call the Election Protection hotlines: 866-OUR-VOTE for English language assistance, 888-VE-Y-VOTA for Spanish language assistance, and 888-API-VOTE for assistance in several Asian languages.
A copy of a letter issued by the lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, the Virginia Civic Engagement Table and New Virginia Majority can be found here. The groups’ request that the state extend the registration deadline through Friday, October 21, 2016 and provide immediate publicity regarding the extension.
About the Lawyers’ Committee
The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law (Lawyers’ Committee), a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, was formed in 1963 at the request of President John F. Kennedy to involve the private bar in providing legal services to address racial discrimination. Formed over 50 years ago, we continue our quest of “Moving America Toward Justice.” The principal mission of the Lawyers’ Committee is to secure, through the rule of law, equal justice under law, particularly in the areas of fair housing and community development; employment; voting; education; environmental justice; and criminal justice. For more information about the Lawyers’ Committee, visit www.lawyerscommittee.org.
