Letter to the Editor: Protect election integrity

When the Food Bank of Delaware made provisions available during COVID-19 times, it stated on its flyer that you must bring ID and proof of Delaware residency to the distribution events. The Food Bank is making sure that they are serving Delawareans.

When people apply for Medicaid or state assistance, the Department of Health and Human Services asks for proof of residency and age, and requires a birth certificate or a driver’s license. It’s not because they want to deny services; it is because they are securing the integrity and accountability to those they serve in Delaware.

I recently visited a county park and used the restroom provided. The toilet paper holder had a padlock on it. At first, I laughed but then realized this was done to keep people from stealing the toilet paper. The parks were being good stewards of resources provided by tax dollars.

If these precautions are taken to secure the integrity of our agencies, then why are they not used to secure the integrity of our elections?

In Delaware, a person can bring the voter card issued by the Department of Elections and vote — that’s all they need. They can do this even if they no longer live in the same Senate or House of Representatives district. They do not have to prove they are the person named on the voter card — they just vote.

Delaware needs to make sure that all legal votes count, and voters should show a state-issued ID, so that there is no question that the person voting is who they say they are and that they are legally allowed to vote in Delaware elections.

Here are examples of how to protect election integrity in Delaware:

• Voters need to show a state-issued ID to prove they are who they say they are and are legally allowed to vote.
• A voter’s citizenship status needs to be verified before they are placed on election rolls.
• Eliminate putting a “D” or “R” on primary election mail-in ballots. A barcode or QR code could be used and would eliminate any temptation to destroy or dispose of a ballot due to party affiliation.
• Ban ballot collecting by third parties and other groups gathering ballots or ballot requests, which would eliminate pressuring vulnerable voters at home to vote in a certain way.
• Voters need to make sure they provide information to the Department of Elections if they move to another district or state, so voter rolls are up to date.
• Prohibit the tabulation of early in-person and mail-in voting before Delaware polls close on Election Day.
• Absentee ballots should only be issued to those who are unable (have an excuse) to physically go to the polls on Election Day.

It is disingenuous to act as if requiring a valid state ID to establish the identity of the voter is voter suppression. You cannot do anything else in our state without this. Let’s stop using this as an excuse and instead require identification that assures voter integrity for Delaware.

Cheryl Precourt

Dover