1. United States
2. Ohio
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to vote against the Make Elections Great Again Act introduced by Rep. Bryan Steil. This legislation represents an unprecedented assault on voting rights that would fundamentally transform our elections from a system based on rights to one based on permission and surveillance. The MEGA Act addresses a problem that does not exist. There is no evidence of widespread voter fraud requiring these extreme measures. Instead, this bill would create massive barriers for eligible voters while doing nothing to improve election security. The mandatory proof of citizenship requirements, strict photo ID mandates, and centralized voter surveillance system would disproportionately harm elderly voters, people with disabilities, low-income Americans, and communities of color who are less likely to possess the required documentation. The bill would eliminate universal vote by mail systems that millions of Americans rely on, forcing states like Colorado, Oregon, and Washington to dismantle successful programs that have increased participation while maintaining security. Requiring voters to affirmatively request absentee ballots and prohibiting the counting of ballots that arrive after Election Day would disenfranchise military members, overseas voters, and those in rural areas where mail delivery is slower. The mandatory voter roll purges every 30 days using government databases known to contain errors would wrongly flag eligible voters and place them on publicly available lists while they scramble to prove their eligibility. This creates opportunities for intimidation and harassment. The expanded lawsuit provisions would enable the attorney general and private individuals to weaponize litigation against election officials simply doing their jobs. Senator Alex Padilla correctly identified this bill as doubling down on baseless conspiracy theories after the SAVE Act failed. Rep. Joe Morelle stated that Republicans are attempting to rig the system so they can choose their voters. These are not partisan exaggerations but accurate descriptions of legislation that would make it harder for eligible Americans to exercise their constitutional right to vote. I urge you to oppose the MEGA Act and any amendments that advance its provisions. Our democracy depends on expanding access to voting, not restricting it based on unfounded fears.