WV Citizens for Clean Elections Condemns Voter Intimidation Activities

Anyone seeking to stop every vote from being counted is seeking to stop freedom and democracy. 

WV Citizens for Clean Elections and other state-based organizations working for clean elections and promoting transparent and accountable government in Texas, North Carolina, California, Minnesota and Maine are speaking out to condemn a secretive group, run by a QAnon believer and supported by Steve Bannon, that has engaged in voter harassment and intimidation activities in Arizona.

Joint statement from Liz Wally, ExecutiveDirector, Clean Elections Texas ; Julie Archer, Coordinator, West Virginia Citizens for Clean Elections; Melissa Price Kromm, Director, NC Voters for Clean Elections; Mark Linsky, Chair, Clean Elections San Diego; Mary Hartnett, Clean Elections Minnesota; and Anna Kellar, Executive Director, Maine Citizens for Clean Elections:

“Whatever our color, background or zip code, most of us believe our government works best when everyone participates and everyone’s voice is heard. However, in state after state, extremist legislators and their billionaire backers are drowning out our voices and attacking our freedom to vote. Secret political donations and deliberate barriers to voting are all part of their plan to manipulate our elections and undermine the will of the people.

“As organizations advocating for ‘clean elections,’ we are fighting to make the promise of democracy real for us all and empower our elected officials to work for us, not wealthy special interests. We must be clear on this point – voter intimidation or harassment is the definition of dirty elections. Any group that is engaged in these sorts of anti-voter activities cannot claim to be champions of clean elections. Furthermore, scare tactics and threats aimed at lessening your power as a voter are against the law in each and every state. These efforts are meant to interfere with our fundamental American freedom to vote, and we can’t help but notice that many of the groups involved are backed by shadowy groups funded by billionaires.

“In America, every voter has the right to cast their ballot safely and free from intimidation or interference.”

We are collaborating with other nonpartisan groups on the ground in our state and across the country to address the intimidation efforts of bad actors, ensuring voters feel safe as they cast their ballots in 2022 and beyond.

If any voter has concerns, they can call or text the Election Protection Coalition at 866-OUR-VOTE or 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA for assistance. 

West Virginia voters who encounter problems at the polls or who might have questions about the voting process can call the ACLU of WV’s Election Protection Hotline at (304) 355-5012. A “Know Your Rights” guide for West Virginia voters is available at https://www.acluwv.org/en/download-voters-rights-guide-now.