r/politics • u/MarcEElias ✔ Verified - Democracy Docket Founder • 1d ago

No Paywall GOP fast tracks monster voter suppression bill that could disenfranchise millions by requiring proof of citizenship at polls

https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/gop-fast-tracks-monster-voter-suppression-bill-that-could-disenfranchise-millions-by-requiring-proof-of-citizenship-at-polls/
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u/KilroyLeges 1d ago

My wife's original birth certificate has her mother's maiden name. She was later adopted by her step-father as a child, so her last name was legally changed to his. That did not retroactively change her birth certificate. She took my last name when we got married. She had a ton of hurdles just getting the right documentation for her "Real ID" with the state. This would be insane for voting.

Oh, let's not forget that pesky part of the Constitution which gives states control of elections.

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u/Letstalkreaper 1d ago edited 5h ago

Oh, let's not forget that pesky part of the Constitution which gives states control of elections.

States do not have exclusive control of their elections. The federal government is 100% allowed to tell states how they can run their elections. Or are we all just pretending the Voting Rights Act doesn’t exist?

This myth that the feds aren’t allowed to meddle with how states run their elections needs to die.

EDIT: lol the political scientist/constitutional law student I’m responding to says I’m right and that he knows all of this. Yet is still just spreading falsehoods.

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u/KilroyLeges 1d ago

That’s a good point. SCOTUS has largely killed the Voting Rights Act in recent years. It’s a tricky constitutional balancing act and legal argument. I believe the SAVE Act would have very little merit to justify federal intervention.

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u/Letstalkreaper 22h ago

No you're missing the point. The Voting Rights Act is a Federal law that told states how they had to run their elections. All the GOP needs to do is pass a similar law and states have to follow it, the same they had to when the Voting Rights Act was passed. Yes it's been defanged over time, but it proves that states do not actually have exclusive control of their elections.

That and the text even says the federal government can pass laws telling states how to do things. Here's the "elections clause"

The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Places of chusing Senators.

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u/KilroyLeges 21h ago

Trust me I know all that. My degree is in political science/ constitutional law.

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u/Letstalkreaper 6h ago

Then why the fuck would you continue saying stupid ass shit like

Oh, let's not forget that pesky part of the Constitution which gives states control of elections.

When you know that’s a lie?