Washington, D.C. – Today, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) announced the launch of the Commission on Protecting American Democracy from the Trump Administration. The group will investigate voter suppression, the “voter fraud” myth, and strategies for modernizing the voting process to provide more Americans better access to the polls. The new Commission comes in response to the Trump Administration’s Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity.

“When it comes to protecting voting rights for all Americans, we cannot trust the Trump Administration to get the facts right,” said Rep. Sewell. “Time after time, President Trump has chosen to recite baseless ‘voter fraud’ claims rather than taking on real issues like voter suppression. Our Commission will document and report on today’s wave of voter suppression tactics and provide recommendations for strengthening access to the polls for all Americans. One person, one vote is a fundamental principle of our democracy, and I am proud to be part of a Commission that seeks to protect and advance voting rights.”

The Commission will work to discredit the Presidential Advisory Commission on Voter Fraud by debunking the myth of widespread voter fraud in America and demonstrating the difficulty of voting in areas affected by voter suppression. The Commission will also highlight and promote best practices for making voting easier and dismantling obstacles to casting a ballot.

Jason Kander, President of Let America Vote and former Missouri Secretary of State, will chair the Commission with Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-AL) serving as Vice-Chair. Members of Congress and state and local elected officials also join the Commission to offer diverse experience in legislating to protect voting rights and administering fair and accessible elections.

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Rep. Terri A. Sewell (D-AL) is serving her fourth term representing Alabama’s 7th Congressional district. She sits on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and was recently appointed to the powerful House Ways and Means Committee. Sewell is a Chief Deputy Whip and serves on the prestigious Steering and Policy Committee of the Democratic Caucus. She is also a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, and serves as Vice Chair of the Congressional Voting Rights Caucus, and Vice Chair of Outreach for the New Democrat Coalition.