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For Immediate Release
Contact:

Don Owens, dowens@lawyerscommittee.org, c. (202) 934-1880
press@lawyerscommittee.org

Lawyers' Committee Statement On Trump Tweet Suggesting Delay In November Election

Statement of Kristen Clarke, President and Executive Director, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law

WASHINGTON

"Dictators and despots seek to delay elections and rig the rules to maintain their grip on power. But this has never been the case in American democracy. President Trump seeks to promote chaos and confusion by suggesting that the nation's November 3rd election should be delayed or postponed. President Trump has absolutely no power to postpone or delay the election.

"Sadly, Trump's autocratic tweet lands on the same day legendary voting rights icon Rep. John Lewis will be laid to rest in Georgia. The president's statement completely contradicts John Lewis's lifelong efforts to promote voting rights and open elections for all Americans."

Background:

Election Day is set by the U.S. Congress. Even if Congress moved the date, the president's term expires on January 20, 2021, and this cannot be moved or altered except by constitutional amendment.

The Lawyers' Committee is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, formed in 1963 at the request of President John F. Kennedy to enlist the private bar's leadership and resources in combating racial discrimination and the resulting inequality of opportunity - work that continues to be vital today.

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