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“Today is a victory for our veterans and a victory for democracy,” said Bysiewicz, “Nationally, the VA’s policy banning voter registration drives is wrong and must change. It should not have taken the threat of a lawsuit, but we are glad Connecticut VA officials have dropped their opposition to fully educating our wounded warriors about our new voting system and allowing me as our chief elections official to register VA patients to vote.” Bysiewicz conducted the voter education and registration sessions despite a nationwide ban on voter registration drives at VA Hospitals, Nursing Homes, and shelters for homeless veterans instituted May 5th by United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs James Peake. Secretary Bysiewicz was joined at the West Haven VA Hospital by state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, whose office negotiated an agreement with Connecticut VA officials. The agreement accommodates Bysiewicz’s request for voter education and registration while waiving the requirement that any state official sign a volunteer statement that prohibits them from encouraging injured military veterans to vote. Bysiewicz and Blumenthal had made it clear that the VA could face legal action if the request was not granted. Attorney General Richard Blumenthal said, “The VA has given democracy a victory. Wisely, the VA has avoided a court fight -- which we pledged to wage -- by permitting nonpartisan activities registering and educating veterans at its facilities. These veterans at inpatient facilities deserve no less -- the very rights they served and sacrificed to protect and preserve. The VA’s flexibility fits its constitutional obligations, which we will fight to enforce if necessary. For now, the federal government is respecting veterans and the law.” Bysiewicz added, “Our veterans have sacrificed so much to preserve our fundamental right to vote. In many ways they are our most patriotic Americans. We now have less than 90 days until the most important election in a generation. We must make sure every proud veteran under VA care has a real opportunity to make his or her voice heard at the voting booth. After all, civic involvement is part of good health.” Despite the recent accommodation by Connecticut VA officials, Bysiewicz still supports federal legislation in Congress to repeal the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ban on voter registration drives for patients at V.A. hospitals, nursing homes and homeless shelters. A bill sponsored by Congressman ChrisMurphy (CT-5) was passed unanimously by the House Administrations Committee last week and awaits action on the floor of the house. The Senate Rules Committee expects to hold hearings on a similar bill sponsored by Senators Diane Feinstein(D-CA) and John Kerry(D-MA) in September. United States Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary James Peake has directed the VA nationally to only permit “certified volunteers” to register patients to vote. VA certified volunteers must sign a pledge not to encourage any patients to vote and may not help any veteran register to vote or receive information about voting if the patient does not first ask for help. On July 11th Secretary Bysiewicz and Washington State Secretary of State Sam Reed(R) launched a bi-partisan effort among Secretaries of the State to over turn the original VA directive. In a letter to VA Secretary James Peake, Bysiewicz and Reed wrote, “As a practical matter, voter registration drives have historically been a critical outreach tool for veterans in facilities to ensure that they get the opportunity to register to vote. Many veterans simply are not able to get out on their own, rendering registration much more difficult. Likewise, the longstanding practice of allowing facility employees to assist veterans in registering to vote has provided valuable assistance to veterans in need.” The call to lift the ban was signed by 21 Secretaries of State representing voters in Connecticut, Washington, Montana, Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Oregon, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, North Carolina, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Ohio, Maine, Vermont, Rhode Island, Kansas, Missouri, Nevada and the District of Columbia. This position is also supported nationally by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Disabled American Veterans, the American Legion, Common Cause, Demos, The League of Women Voters, and The American Association of People with Disabilities. © Copyright by NorwalkPlus.com. Some articles and pictures posted on our website, as indicated by their bylines, were submitted as press releases and do not necessarily reflect the position and opinion of NorwalkPlus.com, Norwalk Plus magazine, Canaiden LLC or any of its associated entities. Articles may have been edited for brevity and grammar. Related Articles: Connecticut residents reminded that they have one month to register to vote for November 4th election - Sep 25, 2008 - 3:30 PM NCC presents domestic violence awareness lecture - Sep 25, 2008 - 3:25 PM 2008: Year of the Woman - Sep 24, 2008 - 9:51 AM Green Party candidates excluded from debates - Sep 23, 2008 - 6:25 PM Bysiewicz applauds U.S. House of Representatives passage of Veterans Voting Support Act - Sep 18, 2008 - 4:14 PM CURRENT HEADLINES: Top of Page
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