Hague: Explaining recent ruling on voting procedures

Posted

Mr. Mike Brickner stated that the recent rulings by the Superior Court on early and permanent absentee voting were “yet another step designed to erode the democratic participation of Delawareans” (“ACLU: Delaware is a voting rights outlier").

He goes on to say that the courts had previously ruled that same-day registration and no-excuse vote-by-mail laws were also precipitated by those who wish to erode democracy. I beg to differ. The courts did not rule on whether those ideas were good or not; the court ruled that the laws were unconstitutional based on our state constitution. I believe the Superior Court even stated that. Is Mr. Brickner alleging that the courts are acting in a conspiracy with “opponents of democracy”? How about simply saying that, if you want those types of voting laws, do it the correct way? Pass a constitutional amendment.

Some believe that we should go back to the way it was at the founding and for many years afterward: You vote in person on the day of the election. Period.

Is Delaware truly an outlier? Perhaps we are the ones doing it right, and the others have introduced so many problems that many have serious doubts as to the integrity of our elections. Voting in person, with a valid ID, may not be a bad way to go. It helps prevent fraud and prevents dead people from voting.

Jeff Hague

Ellendale

Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.

Members and subscribers make this story possible.
You can help support non-partisan, community journalism.

x
X