WASHINGTON — In response to the disturbing rise in attacks on the fundamental security and legitimacy of our elections, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) requesting the formation of a special bipartisan committee to hear testimony from state and local officials, election experts, and others to reassure the American people that the election will go smoothly and reliably.

“Nothing is more fundamental to our democracy than the integrity of our elections,” Senators Schumer and Sanders wrote. “Sadly, there are some who are systematically undermining public confidence in the voting process, and irresponsibly fanning suspicions and conspiracy theories about the legitimacy of election results.

“With the election less than two months away the Senate should immediately establish a special bipartisan committee, with equal representation from both parties,” the senators continued. “The function of that committee must be to hold hearings about what is being done around the country to make certain that our public institutions are prepared to conduct a smooth and reliable election which will be free from voter suppression and intimidation, that every vote will be counted and that there will be confidence in the ultimate outcome.”

The full letter can be found here.