Press Releases

Today, CBC Chairman G. K. Butterfield released the following statement in response to California Governor Jerry Brown signing into law the New Motor Voter Act, which automatically registers eligible residents to vote when they interact with the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). 

“The Congressional Black Caucus applauds the decision by the California Legislature and Governor Jerry Brown to make registering to vote easier.  The new legislation, the New Motor Voter Act, streamlines and modernizes the process of registering to vote by making the process more accessible for the state’s nearly 6.6 million eligible but unregistered residents.  The California decision is fundamentally different and a far cry from the wave of disenfranchisement we have recently witnessed in several states across the country.  It stands in stark contrast to Alabama where a suppressive voter ID law passed in 2011 influenced the state’s recent decision to close 31 state DMV offices which will limit residents’ ability to obtain the required identification to vote and participate in the Democratic process.  As the CBC continues its work to remove restrictive laws and barriers that impede voting for millions of Americans, we encourage more states to follow California’s lead.” 

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Since its establishment in 1971, Members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) have joined together to empower America’s neglected citizens and address their legislative concerns. For more than 40 years, the CBC has consistently been the voice for people of color and vulnerable communities in Congress and has been committed to utilizing the full Constitutional power and statutory authority of the United States government to ensure that all U.S. citizens have an opportunity to achieve the American Dream. To learn more about the Congressional Black Caucus, visit http://cbc-butterfield.house.gov.

Media inquiries: Candace Randle Person at (202) 593-1331 or Candace.Randle@mail.house.gov