Conyers, Nadler Invite Ken Blackwell for Hearing on Voter Suppression

Who wouldn’t want to relive the 2004 election debacle in Ohio?

House Judiciary Chairman John Conyers (D-MI) and Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) have invited Ohio’s controversial former Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell (R) for a chat about voting irregularities in the 2004 election. The hearing, which “will explore the current state of voting rights and the allocation of resources to end voter suppression and voter fraud,” is scheduled for February 8th. Conyers and Nadler appear to be hoping that Blackwell’s past success in suppressing voter turnout will be very informative. The invite is below.

Mr. Kenneth Blackwell

Family Research Council

801 G Street, N.W.

Washington, DC 20001

Dear Mr. Blackwell:

The Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties is planning to hold an oversight hearing on “Voter Suppression” on Friday, February 8, 2008, at 9:30 a.m. in Room 2141 of the Rayburn House Office Building. We are writing to invite you to testify at this hearing. The hearing will explore the current state of voting rights and the allocation of resources to end voter suppression and voter fraud.

There were a number of election irregularities in Ohio during the 2004 Presidential Election. Cumulatively, these irregularities, affected hundreds of thousand of voters. As we look forward to the 2008 Presidential Election, the Committee seeks to explore policies that should be implemented to avoid future voting problems and ensure that every American can exercise their right to vote.