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National Voting Standard Would Eliminate Election Inequities

National Voting Standard Would Eliminate Election Inequities
(Outline205/Dreamstime)

By    |   Tuesday, 19 May 2020 11:46 AM EDT

You would think that after the boondoggle of the Florida recount for the 2000 presidential election that there would have been legislation passed ensuring uniform standards for federal elections.

The current pandemic raises questions about the integrity and operation of the presidential election process overall, and our general/presidential election — just months away.

Some see this as an opportunity to secure our electoral process while others see it as an opportunity for co-option. 

In light of the pandemic, Democrats are calling for a national all-mail-in election.

This defies common sense, inviting fraud, and eliminaitng the ability for civilian election oversight.

The Republican National Committee (RNC) cites a poll which found:

—62% say there is fraud in U.S. elections and that fraud would concern them under Democrats’ nationwide mail-in ballot system.

—Americans overwhelmingly approve of safeguards like signature matching, voter identification, and a ballot receipt deadline of Election Day.

Democrats national mail-in voting standard is nothing more than a voter "harvesting" scheme.

Harvesting of ballots occurs when political "volunteers" deliver and collect ballots for submission for processing and counting. Some jurisdictions have banned such practices because this scenario, at best,  gives the appearance of ballot manipulation; at worst it amounts to fraud in practice.

The RNC polling also reflects that 67% of voters oppose ballot harvesting.

In an effort to create order out of chaos it makes sense that there be uniform standards in federal elections, ensuring all Americans are treated wholly equitably when exercising their most valued right as a citizen.

In federal elections there should not be 50 different standards.

There should be one.

If it's good enough for New York it should be good enough for Florida and vice versa.

Uniform federal election law should include:

I.D. A citizen 18 years of age or older shall produce a valid photo I.D. from an approved federal or state agency to register to vote, or to vote. Photo-I.D.s have become a necessity post 9/11. You need one to enter a federal building, get on an aircraft, obtain government benefits, etc.

Registration. An eligible citizen may register to vote up to two weeks prior to a federal election by appearing in person at an authorized federal or state office, and completing an application.

Voting. An eligible voter may appear at their designated polling place from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on the day of a federal election.

Early Voting. An eligible voter may vote no earlier than 2 weeks prior to a federal election at their designated early voting location between the hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Absentee Voting. An eligible voter upon the showing of good cause shall be entitled to vote by absentee ballot provided they petition for an absentee ballot in person at the designated place no more than 1 month and no less than two weeks prior to a federal election.

Voting Machines. Voting machines shall be uniform in federal elections. A uniform standard shall be established to ensure one voting machine for X number of registered voters at a polling place.

Voting Protocols. There shall be uniform federal rules and protocols for voter I.D.s, registration, voting, poll watching, voting machines, eligibility, timing, locations, tallying, reporting, challenges, recounts, certifications, candidate eligibility, forms, etc.

By establishing fair, just and equitable federal voting standards it will compel states to follow suit. Although states will not be required to follow federal rules in state or local elections it would be costly and inefficient not to do so.

Federal standards would only be required for any ballot that contains an election for  federal office.

The federal government has a paramount interest under the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution to ensure that all Americans are treated the same when exercising their most important and valued right as a citizen — the right to vote.

As such, the federal government has the affirmative duty to ensure that all aspects of voting in federal elections are uniform. It makes no sense that states have the power to make their own rules and requirements, with regard to federal elections, that could change the outcome, disenfranchise, confuse, prevent — or even discourage voting.

The goal should be that voting is fair, understandable, convenient and trustworthy.

This is sadly and dangerously not the case today.

It's unfair and unbalanced for 50 states to have 50 different rules for federal elections.

Voting should be not be so easy as to invite fraud or abuse. If you can take the time to wait in a DMV line for a license or automobile registration than you can certainly can do the same for voting.

Driving is a privilege. Voting is a right.

If federal law were able to finally bring order and confidence to our national elections then states would be fools not to adopt federal standards for their own election protocols.

My vote is for national voting standards that will eliminate state lawsuits, confusion, and inequities to registration and voting nationwide.

Bradley Blakeman was a member of President George W. Bush's senior White House staff from 2001 to 2004. He is also a frequent contributor to Fox News and Fox Business Channel. He currently is a Principal with the 1600group.com a consulting company. Read Bradley Blakeman's Reports — More Here.

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BradleyBlakeman
If federal law were able to finally bring order and confidence to our national elections then states would be fools not to adopt federal standards for their own election protocols.
florida, mail, dmv, harvesting
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2020-46-19
Tuesday, 19 May 2020 11:46 AM
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