Cindy Carr, (202) 495-3034 or cindy.carr@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, reports broke that Matthew Masterson, the chairman of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission -- which helps to protect U.S. election systems from possible cyber attacks -- is being pushed out from his position by House Speaker Paul Ryan and White House officials. Christy McCormick, the only other GOP member of the EAC, served on the highly controversial Pence-Kobach commission and previously called the report on Russian interference in the U.S. election “deceptive propaganda.”
In response, Sierra Club Democracy Program Director Courtney Hight released the following statement:
"At a time when our election system is threatened like never before, it’s crucial that our government invest in protecting and defending the integrity of our votes. Given the extensive and well-documented interference in the 2016 election, it is inexcusable for Speaker Ryan and the Trump administration to continue to put our democracy at risk by removing experienced officials from this key commission.
“Positions like EAC Chairman serve to ensure that every vote counts and every American has a chance to speak up for their communities and their right to clean air and clean water. Voting is the fundamental building block of our democracy, and any attempt to undermine the integrity of our election system is nothing less than un-American.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3 million members and supporters. In addition to helping people from all backgrounds explore nature and our outdoor heritage, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.