Proposed Changes to State Voting Regulations Delegitimize Our Election Process
Proposed Changes to State Voting Regulations Delegitimize Our Election Process
Contributor: Susan Stengel
NYC: Nearly 800,000 non-American citizens will be allowed to vote in NYC’s upcoming local elections, inspiring other Democratic-led cities, including LA, DC, and Portland. People without firm roots in America are being handed the power “to determine the political future of these cities,” says Juscelino Colares, a Brazilian-born law and political science professor, Case Western University, who waited half his life to earn the right to vote in a US election.
UTAH: “Secure Vote Utah” is gaining signatures for the November ballot, which would end early voting and limit absentee voting to those with cause, primarily out-of-town travel. This initiative returns to in-person voting on paper ballots, with all ballots being counted by hand in each precinct, and certified, on election night. Facing pushback from the media and the Republican establishment! Contact UT Reps!
12 Ways The “Freedom to Vote Act” is Unconstitutional and Undermines Our Representative Democracy (from Newsmax magazine, 2/2022), as a Democratic power grab through federalizing our elections and stripping the states of their Constitutional right to establish election requirements.
Early Voting - for at least 15 consecutive days
Election Day as a legal public holiday
“No Excuse” Mail-In Voting with lack of safeguards
Voter ID verification – expand beyond state-issued photo-IDs; states without ID requirements left alone
Protection of Voters with Disabilities – voting from home allowances
Restore Voting Rights for Convicted Felons – after releasing from prison
Addressing Voter Fatigue at Polls – ensure no longer than a 30-minute wait to vote
Automatic Voter Registration – ie., with driver’s license
Same-Day Voter Registration – register and cast vote same day
Restrictions on Updating Voter Rolls
Federal Campaign Finance – Up to $200 to House candidates receive matching federal funds at 6 to 1 ratio
Shores up Restoring Requirements – requires nonprofit organizations to disclose names/info about donors
Senate Majority Leader Schumer (D-NY) casts the Act as the only way to save our democracy: “… January 6th was … an effort to delegitimize our election process, and the Senate must advance systemic reforms ….” Senator Cotton (R-AR) states: “When Chuck Schumer says we need to abolish the filibuster to pass ‘voting rights,’ he’s talking about a bill to mandate ballot harvesting, ban voter ID, and give taxpayer funding to campaigns.”
Fortunately, since the Act doesn’t address taxes or spending, it is subject to the 60+ filibuster rule to end debate and vote on the measure: 10 Republican Senators would have to vote with the Democrats – OR end the filibuster rule to pass this act.
Democrat Senators Sinema (AZ) and Manchin (WV) remain unwilling to change the Senate rules. Thank and encourage them!
Remember: Requiring Voter ID for in-person and absentee ballots is NOT racist! IDs are required to purchase alcohol, get a Driver’s License, open a bank account, rent an apartment, apply for student loans and government programs. And elections occur every two years, so there is plenty of time to register, and learn about candidates and issues if someone wants to vote as a legal citizen of the US!
VOICE YOUR SUPPORT FOR OR AGAINST OUR REPRESENTATIVES POSITIONS on upcoming bills (the “Freedom to Vote Act”), investigations (January 6th, COVID-Fauci/NIH-China), and committees!
Contact OUR Representatives. Insist they uphold the Constitution as they promised when elected! Remind them that they work for “We the People!”
