League of Women Voters v. Newby Appeal Brief

LWVUS and the state Leagues of Alabama, Georgia and Kansas filed a brief on appeal for LWV v. Newby. At stake is a pivotal decision which could affect voter registration access for tens of thousands of voters before Election Day. Every day, eligible voters in these three states are being prevented from registering to vote—and civic groups like the League are being prevented from conducting effective voter registration drives—because of a recent decision by Brian Newby, Executive Director of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, to unilaterally approve requests from Alabama, Georgia and Kansas to require documentary proof of citizenship when an applicant uses the federal mail voter registration application form. The Help America Vote Act of 2002 requires the EAC itself to approve any changes, but Mr. Newby ignored that obligation. The League is asking for these restrictions to be nullified in time for voters to fully register and participate in this year’s election.