Indiana Secretary of State Connie Lawson, a member of the Trump-Kobach sham voting commission, is being accused of violating the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) by removing voters from the voter registration rolls if their name appears in the Interstate Voter Registration Crosscheck system. The system, designed to find and eliminate possible “double voters,” has a high error rate and a discriminatory impact on voters of color.

In response to these developments, DNC Vice Chair of Civic Engagement and Voter Participation Karen Carter Peterson released the following statement:

“Calling another play from the Republican voter suppression playbook, Indiana’s Secretary of State Connie Lawson is breaking federal law by purging eligible voters from the voting rolls without notice. The National Voter Registration Act makes it clear that voters cannot be purged from the rolls without a warning notice from the state’s top election official and a waiting period of up to four years.

“Lawson’s actions also discriminate against and silence voters of color, who are particularly vulnerable to the high error rate of the Interstate Voter Registration Crosscheck system, which Indiana uses to purge voters.

“Democrats stand firmly with Indiana voters in strong opposition of Connie Lawson’s actions. The right to vote is the core of our democracy, and Indiana should be working to expand access to the ballot box – not restrict it.”