“Maryanne” and “Morley” from Redondo Beach, California, recently got a shock when they opened their mail and found seven ballot applications from Los Angeles County.
There were two each for Maryanne and Morley, and three each for a nephew who had previously lived with them but had moved to another city five years earlier. My nephew also received many applications at the up-to-date address.
Unfortunately for election security, the debate over mail-only voting has turned to masks and hydroxychloroquine. It is political when it shouldn’t be, and liberals are deliberately introducing misinformation to distract from what should be an impartial path to keep everyone’s vote protected.
After expressing dismay on social media, Maryanne’s liberal friends responded with “those are just conclusions” or “they will verify the signatures.” Denial is the best friend of an unprotected voice.
If election officials and their software are already issuing many incorrect ballot applications, there is clearly no safeguard against processing multiple applications – or votes. And with more than 25 million registered California voters insisting that all signatures must be validated is ridiculous.
There are fundamental differences between the right and left when it comes to voting security. The right believes that voting is a sacred relationship between the citizen and the government and that only votes cast in a verified manner by eligible American citizens should be counted.
That’s why like-minded Republicans are calling for photo ID at polling places and security procedures for absentee ballots. Due to inherent concerns about voting security, they oppose random, universal mail-in voting.
Liberals and their Democratic Party partners say these sensible protections are “racist” and make it harder for low-income voters who “don’t have access” to photo ID to vote. They advocate mailing ballot applications to every registered voting address, without asking or confirming the recipients’ voting status.
The claim that minority and low-income voters are unable to obtain state identification is offensive. They are as capable as wealthy Hamptons residents of asking the DMV: “How do I get a photo ID?” Almost 231 million Americans of all socioeconomic backgrounds now have driver’s licenses – twice as many people who voted in 2016.
Many states provide free photo ID; others provide one at a low price. More than 30 states and the District of Columbia have hardship waivers free photo ID for the homeless voters.
The suggestion that photo ID is a “barrier” to voting is a political tactic, not a practical reality. The left uses it to unfairly accuse the law of voter suppression, while cynically soliciting votes by offering a false choice based on lies.
There is a significant difference between the universal mail-in elections proposed by Liberal officials and the successful mail-in voting programs that have been in place for decades, which include voters who are temporarily away from home. Republican candidates need to do a much better job of explaining the extensive difference between the two.
Although specific requirements vary by stateAbsentee ballots are restricted in operate and require the voter to provide a specific address and include a signature as an affidavit on the ballot envelope. The voter’s identity is then verified by an election official by comparing signatures using a state database, notarial or witness confirmation, or attaching a photo ID document.
The “automatic” or “universal” mail-only voting systems currently proposed by Democrats are completely different and completely insecure. Ballots are not required, but are sent to the address without confirmation that the recipient is still there or even alive. Millions of unverified ballots could potentially fall into the wrong hands. This is especially problematic in residential settings with high turnover rates, such as senior homes and apartment complexes.
Not all incorrect applications or ballots will fall into the hands of sincere voters. They can be used illegally due to misunderstanding by the wrong recipients, create opportunities for voter fraud for ballot harvesters, or send confused and ineligible foreigners to the polls simply because a ballot shows up on their doorstep.
Universal mail-only ballots are billed to the U.S. Postal Service, which officials are already hesitant to cope with the unprecedented and enormous number of electoral components that this program would require. More than 223,000 ballots were cast in Nevada reported “undeliverable” in June primary school.
At least this is according to an analysis of this year’s primaries conducted by National Public Radio 65,000 countless mail-in votes in 17 states. Many states, including California, Ohio AND New Yorkthey still have huge problems with mail-in voting in the primaries.
Corrupted voter data in Nevadaand potential lawsuits in at least five states poorly maintained voter rolls cannot be explained by partisan arguments.
Maryanne and Morley will only vote once, regardless of how many ballots they receive. Could this be said of anyone receiving an official invitation to potentially steal your vote?
The Liberals’ one-size-fits-all mail-only system is already proven madness. Democrat, Republican or Independent, we must close the door on potential voting fraud rather than deny its existence. We should question the motives of those who do this.
We can protect each other; and we should.
Kerri (Houston) Toloczko is vice president of policy American Constitutional Rights Union Action Fundan organization dedicated to defending the constitutionally protected civil rights of all Americans.
