H.R.1 – or Senate companion S.1 – represents a bold, dangerous attempt to capture the American electoral system once and for all. The idea is to remake America as a one-party system. Anyone who cares must read the bill – then speak up, clearly and without being intimidated, for our two-party system.
What is happening – and happening fast – is Democrats are angling to lock in a permanent majority, unconstitutionally federalizing and changing our elections. Worse, they dress up this Greek tragedy in a false narrative – boldly telling America the bill is not what it is. Let us be clear. This bill does not credibly solve problems tied to vote suppression; it federally mandates practices that produce fraud, error, and vote suppression.
To be clear: Democrats argue purging active felons from voter rolls disproportionately affects minorities, yet sound public policies mitigate against felons voting – whatever their background. Today, 48 of 50 states do not allow felons to vote, and a large percentage – for serious crimes – do not restore the vote. If this affects minorities disproportionately, the aim is deterring crime, protecting the public, and not enfranchising those who patently disregard the rule of law.
Likewise, Democrats argue requiring in-person and in-precinct voting, identification, no ballot harvesting, no instant registration from DMVs or schools, no mass mail-in ballots, and no 16-year-old voting – suppresses minorities.
The logic is flawed. First, these provisions measurably reduce fraud, elevate accountability and responsibility in the exercise of the franchise. Second, they are neither race-based nor discriminatory. Polling places must be accessible; if not, that can be challenged. Identification is of many kinds, again assuring integrity.
Requiring people to vote where they live is not a suppresser. Ballot harvesting allows intimidation and manipulation by collectors – as no oversight; disallowing ballot harvesting protects the independent exercise of the vote by every voter.
Instant DMV registration sounds good, but 16 states and DC – as is their right – issue driver’s licenses to illegal aliens, not constitutionally entitled to vote for Congress or President. Accordingly, instant registration from DMV – ditto schools – fans fraud. The absence of it does not disproportionately affect any citizen.
In short, the notion that this bill addresses voter suppression – and does so without intolerable impact on election veracity or truthfulness – is simply not true. In sharp distinction, the bill pushes buttons producing fraud – historically in favor of Democrats. That intolerable fact is why the American Civil Liberties Union and Wall Street Journal’s (WSJ) editorial board both vehemently oppose the bill.
As Kimberly Strassel recently wrote in the WSJ: “The left and the media describe H.R.1 as a ‘voting rights’ and ‘campaign finance’ reform,” but “it is actually an unprecedented federal effort to dictate state voting rules.” Specifically, “The bill would strip states of their authority to decide methods of balloting, election deadlines and most aspects of election security,” and “would mandate mail-in voting, impose registration rules, dictate ballot-return dates, and void identification standards … even limits states’ ability to draw congressional districts.” See, e.g., https://www.wsj.com/articles/democrats-sell-out-their-states-11614901621.
Beyond that critique, the bill mandates one-party control of the Federal Election Commission, green-lighting fraud. It takes away state constitutional authority to redistrict, flying in the face of the Framers’ intent. It chills free speech by mandating your name and address for personal “doxing,” intimidation, boycotts, and firings if you contribute to political action groups. And it mandates DC become a state, intended instantly to generate two Democrat US Senate seats.
So, let us get this straight. This is not an anti-voter suppression bill. This is a bold, filibuster-busting attempt at one-party rule, no check. It kills constitutionally protected state, local and individual rights. This bill is not “For the People” – it is for crushing the people, twisting our electoral process, giving one-party power.
Notably, Strassel adds: “Some 33 states are evaluating legislation designed to avoid a repeat of the 2020 mess, in which courts and executive-branch officials overrode state law and many voters lost faith in the system.”
Putting a fine point on it, she notes: “The left and the media are now falsely branding these sensible efforts at clean elections as ‘voter suppression,” but “The real big lie is H.R.1 …a brazen attempt to rig the game for a permanent Democratic majority.” What is more, “proof is the fury with which the left is demanding the Senate kill the filibuster to pass H.R.1 with 51 votes ….”
Powerful facts: First, Americans must guard against false narratives: A bill that kills democracy is not for democracy. Second, Democrats are done with bipartisanship were before they started. Third, the century-old Senate filibuster – assuring 60 for big change is at risk. Fourth, this bill is a Trojan Horse, pushed to get inside the Republic’s walls and destroy a constitutionally protected electoral system. Needed are people who see and speak the truth to prevent that unthinkable outcome.