Briffault Testifies on Senate Bill

Richard Briffault, the Joseph P. Chamberlain Professor of Legislation, testified before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on a bill to prohibit deceptive practices in federal elections.

Briffault, a leading scholar of election law, gave testimony on S. 453, the Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2007. He was one of nine witnesses to appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee; others include Senators Charles Schumer (D – NY) and Barack Obama (D – IL), who introduced the bill.

The act would make available civil and criminal penalties to punish anyone who seeks to keep voters away from the polls by disseminating false information. While amendments to the U.S. Constitution have removed past barriers to the polls – such as literacy tests and property requirements – new tactics have arisen to deceive or intimidate certain citizens from voting, according to the findings of the bill.

The hearing took place on Thursday, June 7, at 2 p.m. More information, including testimony transcripts, is available here.