Brian Newby, Elections Assistance Commission: Letter from CLC et al. Urging To Withdraw Proof Of Citizenship Requirement Changes in Three States

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In the middle of the night February 1, while everyone focused on the Iowa Caucus results, Brian Newby, the new executive director for the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC), sent letters to the chief election officers in Kansas, Georgia, and Alabama granting their request that the federal voter registration form require documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote in those states.  The policy change is an about face for the agency, which previously twice rejected the same requests.  

Campaign Legal Center joined with other good-government, civil rights, and voting rights groups in sending a letter calling for Newby to withdraw his letter unilaterally granting the three states’ request to make this significant change in voter registration requirements in federal elections.