Protect State Elections and the Right to Vote

Free and fair elections depend on two essential principles: protecting the right of eligible citizens to vote and safeguarding the integrity and privacy of election systems. Recent developments across the country have raised serious concerns among election officials from both parties. The U.S. Department of Justice has sought unprecedented access to state voter data, including requests for unredacted voter rolls containing sensitive personal information. State election officials from across the political spectrum have pushed back. Secretaries of state in multiple states — including several Republican-led states — have refused to provide unredacted voter data, citing state privacy protections and the lack of clear legal authority for such demands. Federal courts have also dismissed several lawsuits seeking to compel states to turn over this information. These responses reflect a core constitutional principle: states are responsible for administering elections and protecting voter data and election records. At the same time, proposals such as the SAVE America Act would impose sweeping federal restrictions on voter registration and voting procedures. Policies that create unnecessary barriers to voter registration, enable broad voter-roll purges, or restrict lawful voting methods risk disenfranchising eligible citizens while undermining public confidence in our elections. States can and should act to protect both election integrity and voter access. For example, New Mexico recently enacted legislation making it a felony to deploy troops or armed agents at polling places, reinforcing longstanding protections against intimidation and interference. Protecting the right to vote, safeguarding voter privacy, and maintaining secure elections should never be partisan goals. These responsibilities belong to state governments and must be carried out in a way that preserves public trust and broad participation in our democracy. I urge you to defend the integrity of our elections by protecting voter privacy, maintaining transparent and lawful election procedures, and ensuring that every eligible citizen can participate in our democracy without unnecessary barriers. Secure elections and accessible voting are not competing goals. Our democracy depends on both.