Challenges To The Right To Vote
Elections, and the rules by which they are conducted, are continuing to dominate the news cycles, whether in print, broadcast or social media platforms.
With a plethora of organizations that are dedicated to resisting the “conservative agenda”, designed to takeover our democracy, it’s become evident how some of the richest donors have been engaged in hiding their influence, via political action committees, donating minimum amounts to individual candidates and their campaigns and attempting to buy votes, particularly in judicial elections.
Vote For Trump, Get a Million Bucks
Most recently, Elon Musk (the unelected czar of DOGE), made offers of millions of dollars, to Wisconsin voters, if they agreed to sign a petition and to vote for the Trump backed candidate, for the state Supreme Court. Results show their candidate list. This illustrates how ultra wealth is “being weaponized to drown out our ordinary voices and hijack the political process.” It also suggests that if one has enough money, the rules don’t apply and elections become just another thing the rich can buy!
Supreme Courts Disastrous Ruling
Thanks to the Supreme Courts disastrous Citizen’s United ruling, the ultra rich and billionaires, have been handed a blank check, to control our democracy. Even so, some legal lines still exist, and Musk may have just openly and defiantly crossed one.
In his attempt to influence the outcome of the election, his conduct appears to directly violate federal law, which bans offering money or anything of value, in exchange for votes. This scheme, if left unchecked, is a blueprint for how billionaires can convert their wealth into political power, leaving ordinary citizens like us, with no voice at all.
With the House’s passing of the SAVE Act, it has become obvious, to many observers, that citizens are going to need to register in person to vote or update any personal information.
SAVE Act Would Tighten Voter Registration Rules
• Under the proposed SAVE Act, all voters registering or updating their registration would be required to appear in person at an election office.
• Individuals must present original or certified documents proving both identity and U.S. citizenship.
• For most Americans, that means bringing a passport or birth certificate.
• Everyday updates like moving, changing your name (including already married women), or switching party affiliation would also require in-person visits with these documents.
• The rule could affect millions who typically update their voter information multiple times throughout their lives.
Although the SAVE ACT, is headed to the Senate, observers already say, it will face an uphill battle there to get 60 votes in order for the bill to be one law!
The proof of citizenship requirement is subject to disenfranchisement of a variety of voters. In the case of the President’s Executive Order regarding new machines and the cancelling of some mail-in ballots, the midterm elections could be very challenging and too close to call.
The Executive Order mandates that ballots received after Election Day will not be counted.
We’re continuing to evaluate just how much our participation could suffer.
