League of Women Voters barred from US Customs and Immigration Service Voter Registration

Dear Editor,

For many years, the League of Women Voters has proudly registered new citizens to vote at their naturalization ceremonies. Several members of the Livingston League have attended these ceremonies at the US Courthouse in Newark and assisted with voter registration and election information. These ceremonies have been quite moving and it has been our pleasure to assist these new citizens in preparing to carry out their civic responsibility. The new citizens and the court officers alike have been appreciative about our role.

Under revised policy guidance from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), nonpartisan organizations are barred from registering voters at naturalization ceremonies and we can no longer carry out this important activity.

On September 2, Celina Stewart, CEO League of Women Voters of the United States , released the following statement in response to this revised policy guidance:

“For decades, the League of Women Voters has been a trusted partner of both USCIS and federal courts to register new voters at naturalization ceremonies. This work has resulted in hundreds of thousands of new citizens registering to vote with League volunteers across the country.

“The USCIS decision to bar nonpartisan organizations from providing voter registration services at naturalization ceremonies is an attempt to keep new citizens from accessing their full rights.

“Naturalization ceremonies are empowering, joyful celebrations of American democracy. When a volunteer meets a newly naturalized citizen with a voter registration form in hand, they provide them with the tools to fully participate in the election franchise.

"The League has always conducted this work in a proudly nonpartisan manner, with a single goal: to ensure new Americans have a voice in our democracy. Our League volunteers step in where election officials often lack capacity, making sure critical voter registration services reach those who need them most. Across the country, local election officials recognize and deeply value the partnership of their local League in voter registration, which strengthens communities and democracy.

“By shutting out the League and other civic partners, USCIS is making it harder for new citizens to register to vote, which is yet another intimidation tactic and attack on the immigrant community. Our democracy is stronger with the voices of new citizens.

“The League of Women Voters remains committed to ensuring every eligible voter can register, cast a ballot, and have their vote counted. Despite this setback, the League of Women Voters will find ways to do this vital work and ensure new citizens can access voter registration. We call on USCIS to reverse this policy.”

We want to make you aware of this policy change and urge you to take action to voice your opinion about it.

Sincerely,

Robin Weiss

Amy Ipp

Co-presidents

League of Women Voters of Livingston