Atlanta, GA— DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, DNC Secretary and Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and Georgia Democratic Party Chair DuBose Porter held a press conference at the DNC summer meeting in Atlanta today to discuss the DNC’s commitment to expanding the right to vote in 2014 and beyond.

In June, the DNC launched the Voter Expansion Project — a permanent infrastructure within the Democratic Party that is focused on protecting and expanding the vote. The DNC’s Voter Expansion Project’s mission is to ensure that every eligible voter is registered, every registered voter is able to vote, and that every vote is accurately counted. Expanding the electorate is a priority for Democrats because we think our country is better off when more people participate unlike those on the other side of the aisle who know their best path to victory is if fewer people vote.

See below for excerpts as prepared for delivery:

DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz:

“There is a reason that we are in Georgia. A year ago, in Arizona, I promised that Democrats were committed to planting our flag in every corner of the country. We are here because the DNC is expanding the map, spreading the Democratic message, and we plan to turn Georgia blue.

Today’s Republican Party is so out of touch with the American people that they know their best path to victory is if fewer voices are heard, if fewer Americans exercise one of their most basic constitutional rights– and at the DNC we will work tirelessly to prevent them from getting what they want.

“We believe it is easier and more convenient for a citizen to participate in the electoral process when she understands when to vote, where to vote, what to bring with her to vote. That’s why we have provided all of the “rules of the road” for all fifty states and the District of Columbia in one simple location at IWillVote.com. And this week, we launched the Spanish language version of the site, VoyAVotar2014.com

“We’ve also already hired state voter Expansion Directors in places like Ohio, Texas, Colorado, and Florida. And just this week, the DNC and Georgia Democratic Party are announcing the hire of Georgia’s new Voter Expansion Director — I’m thrilled that she’ll be joining our team.”

DNC Secretary and Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake:

“This notion of getting more people involved in the process isn’t just a program for us or a tactic – it is one of the most fundamental values that we share as Democrats.  It’s not just about strengthening our Party.  It’s about strengthening our democracy.

“Our country is stronger when more voices are heard. The diversity of opinion is one of the things that make our country strong and vibrant and we will do everything in our power to make sure that no cynical partisan ploys can ever drown out any of these voices.

“Democrats are committed to expanding rights not taking them away – we want to empower people, to break down barriers and to expand opportunity for all Americans.”

Georgia Democratic Party Chair DuBose Porter:

“Make no mistake – it’s not just our Party that is diverse and growing – our state is, too. It’s up to us to us engage every single Georgian. As the Chairwoman said earlier, when more people are registered and vote, Democrats will win.

“While our Party has become more inclusive, the other side has been turning away folks left and right, including their own candidates at the ballot box. We have a governor who brags about fighting against the Voting Rights Act while he was in Congress. That is unacceptable. We’ve had Republicans in the legislature try to cutback early voting. That is unacceptable. We’ve seen attempts to intimidate voters by moving the polls to inside police stations.  That is unacceptable.

“This culture of suppression has to stop. That is why the Voter Expansion Project is critical for the democracy in our state.”