Cohen Responds to Shelby County Election Commission Committment to Ensure Accuracy of Records

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today issued a statement on Shelby County Administrator of Elections Richard Holden’s response to questions regarding the accuracy of the Shelby County voter records.

“It is imperative that citizens feel confident that their right to vote is intact and that records which ensure their right to vote are beyond reproach,” said Congressman Cohen. “I have known Administrator Holden for more than 30 years and regret that he has seen any inquiry into the accuracy of the voter files as political. That is absolutely not the case. Earlier this year, my office received voter records which we found to be incomplete and brought that to the attention of Administrator Holden who assured us that the problem had been ‘identified, corrected, and procedures revised to prevent any future issue.’ And Administrator Holden recently told the media that voting records given to the public were wrong but that the voting files used by the Commission are accurate and up-to-date.”

Congressman Cohen continued, “It was disappointing when I learned that Bev Harris, the Director of Black Box Voting, had found that the voting histories of close to 500 Shelby County residents were missing. Because voters who have not voted in a specific period of time are to be purged from the rolls, it is imperative that such voting history must be accurate and complete. As the Election Commission continues to examine its records and procedures, I look forward to updates from Administrator Holden which will lay to rest any questions in the minds of Shelby County citizens. Without total confidence in the integrity of the electoral process, I fear that some may be discouraged from voting. It would be tragic if any citizen felt denied of this most important constitutional right that ensures that ours is a government of the people, by the people and for the people.”

Attached is an email chain between the Office of Congressman Cohen and Shelby County Administrator of Elections Richard Holden discussing problems with Shelby County voter records dating back to August 2010.