01.06.05

Statement of Sen. Maria Cantwell on the Objection to Affirming Ohio's Electoral Votes

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ms. CANTWELL: Mr. President, we meet in historic session today. The 12th Amendment to the Constitution sets forth the requirements for casting electoral votes and counting those votes in Congress. The electors are required to meet, cast and certify their ballots and transmit them to the Vice President in his capacity as President of the Senate.

With the exception of objections to the electoral votes from the State of Florida in the 2000 election, objections to an entire slate of votes from a State have been rare. But we have had one today, which gives us the opportunity to discuss and debate a very important issue for our country and for the citizens of my state -- the issue of whether we have ensured that every vote is counted.

I will vote to uphold the outcome of this most recent election.

However, I think we have more work to do in the area of election reform, and I think the discussion we are having today is appropriate and overdue.

In 2001, I supported the passage of the Equal Protection of Voting Rights Act. That law was designed to protect voting rights and ensure the integrity of the electoral system in our nation. I did so because I feel that making certain that each citizen’s vote is counted and promoting public trust and confidence in our election process is crucial.

The job is far from over. We may need to have additional hearings and we may need to take additional legislative action. There have been troubling reports from this most recent election.

Representative John Conyers and the minority staff of the House Judiciary Committee have conducted their own hearings and investigations of instances of voter disenfranchisement, flawed or corrupted voting machinery, and inappropriate procedures for counting and recounting votes in Ohio. They have produced a compelling report itemizing and analyzing the irregularities.

A two hour debate on the matter, when people across the country waited in four, six, and twelve hour lines to vote all over this country in November, is the least we can do.

Mr. President, the debate we are having focuses attention on legitimate concerns that have been raised regarding the Ohio vote and count, and on broader concerns about America's inconsistent and sometimes flawed election processes which vary so radically from state to state that genuine equal protection concerns arise.

Mr. President, I will certify the election results, because I don't think we should sacrifice the greater good of the continuity of government at this time. We need to govern. But, what we should be doing is using this debate to get this Congress, and this country, talking about the steps that must be taken to ensure that American elections provide a true representation of the people's will.