Rick Langenberg
While the fight over President Donald Trump’s proposed SAVE America Act is now reaching a pivotal climax period, we say in response: Whatever happened to common sense and preserving the rights of voters.
And as the saying goes, “If it’s not broken, don’t fix it.”
The SAVE America Act appears to be an effort to impose stringent voting restrictions against those who oppose the president and his allies. If it moves forward, we might as well classify the country as a South American dictatorship.
Instead, Republicans, Democrats, Independents and whoever participates in regular elections, should really consider taking the alternate course and rallying behind the benefits of Mail-in Voting.
Here in Colorado, we have an extremely successful mail-in voting system. The use of the word “mail” is misleading. In reality, the far majority of voters, at least in Teller County, don’t mail in their ballots. Most prefer to use 24/7 ballot box outlets, and for hard-core traditionalists, the option of voting in-person at designated centers is available.
I know certain Trump fans hate to hear this, but our system is truly the gold standard of voting, with a variety of choices available. And when you return your ballot, you get a prompt response verifying the receipt of your ballot.
If the system needs improvement, expand access to ballot drop boxes to make voting easier for rural residents.
When mail-in voting statewide became the law of the land 10 or so years ago, many voters, including myself, were skeptical. But after discovering the convenience and the smooth process that transpired, it was hard to argue with success. In fact, some towns like Woodland Park, used the mail-in voting system since the early 1990s and discovered that participation in elections increased dramatically.
Then, when the system was tried in the Cripple Creek/Victor district, many said, “No way.”
Again, growing participation in elections silenced the skeptics, even in the CC/V district. In fact, southern Teller residents quickly joined the Mail-in Voting bandwagon.
Sure, maybe some post-election partes ended sooner than the pre-mail-in voting days, and all-nighters weren’t in fashion any longer. I can remember an election in Teller County in the mid-1990s when the results weren’t finalized the old-fashion way until 7 a.m. the following day.
But under the mail-in system, those days have ended. The overall mail-in process was just too smooth and encompassing for all voters not to endorse.
The entire issue with mail-in voting was not a controversy until the 2020 election, when a spree of conspiracy theories abounded by crazy whacks who had too much access to the president. President Trump tried to resurrect this so-called controversy in a recent, bizarre nationally televised speech that fell short of the accountability mark due to the lack of any proof of tangible fraud.
Too Many Unanswered Questions
The SAVE Act just contains too many unanswered questions, and it would make voting such a hassle that many would no longer bother with the ordeal altogether. How many locals carry around citizen-proof papers and even their passports. How many law-abiding citizens, who vote regularly and participate in the democratic process, are going to be banned from the process.
Are people going to be admitted to the voting gates, based on their political views?
It’s a crazy idea and a desperate attempt fare better in the mid-term elections. Instead of coming up with made-up voter fraud stories, these pursuers of the SAVE Act should try hitting the campaign trail and advocate the benefits of their policies, instead of resorting to anti-voting laws.
Yes, the Great Donald is facing a mega defeat this November, and he knows it too well. And this is a man who doesn’t like to lose, whether it’s on the golf course or in national elections. And the prospects are growing for a complete change in the Republican control of the Senate and House.
We could be wrong, but mid-terms are generally brutal for the sitting president, especially with sinking approval numbers and the backing of a war that most Americans oppose.
Then there is the issue of local election offices having to adapt to a sweeping change in new regulations at the 11th hour. That’s the craziest part of the SAVE America Act. There is not any concept of reality and the intricacies involved in running an election.
Even though many locals favor Donald Trump in this area, we say don’t drink the “Conspiracy, tainted Kool-Aid.” Mail-in Voting is a real and proven winner for residents, election candidates and local officials.
If the GOP wants to get back in the winning circle, at least in Colorado, come up with candidates who can win in the general election. In turn, the national party should consider winning policies, instead of trying radical laws that undermine democracy.
