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June 21, 2021

ABA President Patricia Lee Refo stresses voting rights in first in-person speech of her term

WASHINGTON, June 21, 2021 — American Bar Association President Patricia Lee Refo, who has held the office since August 2020, gave the first in-person speech of her tenure last week to the North Dakota State Bar Association.

Refo used the occasion to stress the important issues of the rule of law including “our representative democracy and access to the ballot box.” Refo outlined the ABA policies on voting, including its support of absentee voting for all registered voters and adequate polling locations and hours.

“In a democracy, the rule of law starts with secure and meaningful access to the ballot and as lawyers, we need to say that now with a load and clear voice,” she said.

A complete copy of the speech can be read here.

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