Staff Reports
With control of the White House and both chambers of Congress, Republicans see the perfect moment to shake up the nation’s voting procedures. The party is gearing up to push long-desired reforms like voter ID and proof-of-citizenship requirements, all wrapped in the noble goal of restoring public trust in elections. It’s almost as if they think voters would like to feel confident that their ballots aren’t being counted by an army of noncitizens. The nerve!
The Democrats, however, roll their eyes and mumble something about “widespread fraud” only being a figment of conspiracy theorists’ imaginations. They are still smarting from the accusations of election meddling, especially those tossed around by President Trump and his supporters following the 2020 election. Democrats assure us that the only threat to elections is misinformation, not the rampant noncitizen voting that Republicans claim needs urgent attention. Apparently, having a requirement for ID to vote is just too oppressive for college students and those without a permanent address. Who would’ve thought accurate voter registrations could be a problem for democracy?
In the new year, Republicans are preparing to unveil their masterpieces: the American Confidence in Elections Act and the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act. The aptly shortened ACE and SAVE Acts are right on the table, waiting for a dramatic vote in Congress. Rep. Bryan Steil from Wisconsin confidently points out that this is their chance for unified Republican governance to set the stage for these vital legislative efforts. One can only hope they remember to serve a side of accountability as they dish out these reforms.
Democrats, who embody the spirit of “let’s compromise” so often, think the proposed changes inhibit voter access more than they enhance election integrity. They’re convinced that Republican initiatives go too far, forgetting that laws have been made to help secure elections. New York Rep. Joe Morelle claims that while he’s open to bipartisan discussions, the GOP’s previous ideas have caused far too many people to struggle reaching the polls. It’s almost charming how the left paints their concerns about “restricted rights” with such fervor while ignoring the potential for fraudulent activities.
Trump has pressed for voting changes. GOP majorities in Congress will try to make that happenhttps://t.co/KAhFZkrldb pic.twitter.com/mmGtTwLFBr
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) December 27, 2024
Republicans argue that their proposal to require proof of citizenship when registering to vote is about creating a robust system, combating the honor system that’s currently yielding questionable results. Unsurprisingly, they believe that making states reject applications without proper identification will help ensure only eligible voters can participate. Because when you ask someone to swear they’re a U.S. citizen, who really knows if that’s enough, right? Perhaps the Democrats would prefer we just trust them—what could possibly go wrong?
In the battleground state of Georgia, officials point out the absence of noncitizen votes following their audits, declaring that their processes reinforce public trust. Secrets tend to hide in the shadows: if people believe their elections can be trusted, they might just vote more confidently. The reality is, as Raffensperger champions, if Congress does decide to make changes, it will ultimately fall on the states to enforce them and maintain the integrity of elections. While Georgia showcases its success, it will be interesting to watch as other states either embrace or resist much-needed reforms. Let’s see which side of the aisle holds on to their ideals in this ongoing debate over democracy.
