Our senators need to do everything possible to pass voting act

Delaware State News | October 24, 2021

By Charlotte King and Clara S. Licata

What is the big deal about expanding voter rights? You wouldn’t think that legislation making it easier for people to vote would be a problem. Shouldn’t every state want its citizens to have a polling place nearby with convenient hours or the option to vote by mail? The Freedom to Vote Act would guarantee that and more, but Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has said the act is a solution in need of a problem.

Is it? According to the Brennan Center for Justice, 19 states have enacted 33 laws limiting, not expanding, voting rights. This is the actual problem. This state legislation reduces the number and hours of in-person polling places; limits or eliminates the option to vote by mail or severely limits the number and locations of boxes to return vote-by-mail ballots; transfers election responsibility from neutral, nonpartisan state, county or local officials to partisan appointees; institutes severe criminal penalties for innocuous election mistakes by local officials; and cements partisan gerrymandering.

Read the entire Delaware State News article here.