Senators Feinstein and Kerry Express Concerns About Apparent Reversal in Department of Veterans’ Affairs Policy in Providing Access to Voter Registration for Veterans - VA Directive appears to include blanket prohibition on voter registration drives - May 8, 2008 |
Washington, DC –U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and John Kerry (D-Mass.)
The Senators requested clarification about why the new directive was issued, who retracted the initial policy directive and whether Secretary Peake sees the change as a complete bar on external, nonpartisan voter registration drives. Background The VA’s April 25 directive came in the wake of a letter exchange between Senators Feinstein and Kerry and Veterans Affairs Secretary James B. Peake over whether VA facilities should be designated as “voter registration agencies” within the definition of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993. The Act requires states to offer voter registration opportunities at all offices that provide public assistance, services to the disabled and at all motor vehicle offices. Many veterans live at VA facilities and some, especially those who are disabled, find it difficult to travel off-campus for services including voter registration. However, a federal appeals court recently ruled that voter registration groups do not have the right to register veterans on the grounds of VA facilities. In light of the court decision, Senators Feinstein and Kerry wrote a letter in March to Secretary Peake to find ways to ensure that all veterans have access to voter registration materials and identify the policies they have in place to support voter registration.Related Resources: VA Directive Marked May 7, 2008 ###
|