Fair Elections Integrity Act
Fair Elections Integrity Act
Fair Elections Integrity Act
Securing Our Democracy While Expanding Access
I'm committed to protecting the integrity of our elections without creating barriers that disenfranchise voters. Republicans are pushing the SAVE Act and MEGA Act, which claim to enhance security but often impose strict requirements (i.e rare proof-of-citizenship documents or aggressive voter roll purges) that could prevent millions of eligible Americans from voting. These bills spread the false narrative that Democrats oppose voter ID, when in reality, we support smart, accessible measures that keep elections fair, free, and secure.
Wisconsin already leads the way with high voter turnout, same-day registration, open primaries, and required photo ID at the polls, all without widespread fraud. My Fair Elections Integrity Act builds on this successful model nationally, embracing voter ID for security while prioritizing accessibility for all citizens. It's a commonsense, bipartisan approach that counters the harmful aspects of the SAVE and MEGA Acts by making compliance easy and inclusive, not punitive.
To ensure only eligible citizens vote, we'll introduce a federal-issued Voter ID required for all elections. This addresses security concerns head-on while removing financial and logistical barriers.
Free and Easy to Obtain: The first physical copy is provided free by the federal government. Apply online or in-person at local clerks' offices, DMVs, or post offices.
Required Documentation: Present a photo ID (e.g., driver's license or state ID) and proof of residency (e.g., utility bill or lease). Alternatives for those without photo ID include an original Social Security card, recent tax documents (W-2 or 1040), passport, birth certificate, or a sworn affidavit with a witness.
Special Considerations for Vulnerable Groups: For homeless individuals, use the address of a shelter, community center, or government facility where they receive services (e.g., a VA clinic for veterans).
Replacements and Waivers: Replacements cost $10-20, but fees are waived for low-income individuals (below 150% of the federal poverty line, verified via programs like SNAP or Medicaid), address changes (with proof like a new lease or student ID), or name changes (e.g., due to marriage). No waivers for simple loss to encourage responsibility. Limit waivers to 2-3 per election cycle.
Digital Option: A secure app-based digital ID with biometric verification (fingerprint or face ID) or QR code for polling places. This saves costs for frequent movers like students or military personnel and includes opt-in paper backups. This would likely need to be phased in and potentially start as a pilot program.
Streamlined Voting: Once issued, this ID is the only document needed to vote—no additional proofs required at the polls.
Citizenship Verification: Built into the application process with cross-checks against Social Security Administration and Department of Homeland Security databases.
This system promotes uniformity across states while ensuring equity.
Drawing from Wisconsin's proven system, we'll make registration and participation straightforward to boost turnout without compromising security.
Anytime Registration: Voters can register at any point, including on Election Day. Use the national Voter ID as proof; provisional ballots for same-day registrations, counted after verification.
No Party Affiliation Required: Primaries remain open. Voters choose one party's ballot on the spot without pre-registering for a party. This includes independents (about 40% of voters) and reduces partisan exclusion.
Automatic Options: Promote opt-in automatic registration through DMV interactions or tax filings for added convenience.
This flexibility has helped Wisconsin achieve some of the highest turnout rates in the nation (e.g., 72% in recent elections) with minimal fraud.
To increase access and encourage civic participation:
Designate federal general Election Day as a national holiday, closing non-essential government offices.
This builds on successful state-level experiments and could significantly raise national turnout.
To ensure every eligible voter can participate, even if they can't make it on Election Day due to work, health, travel, or other reasons, we'll establish a national baseline for flexible voting options. Currently, not all states offer robust early or absentee voting, leading to disparities in access. This plan sets a minimum standard while allowing states to expand further based on their resources and staffing capabilities.
Minimum Requirements: Require all states to offer at least 10 days of early in-person voting before federal Election Day, including at least one weekend. Absentee ballots (mail-in) must be available no-excuse to any voter who requests one, with requests accepted up to 30 days before the election and ballots countable if postmarked by Election Day and received within 7 days after.
State Flexibility: States can extend early voting periods (e.g., up to 45 days like some already do) or add more polling sites if they have the resources. Federal grants will support staffing and equipment for the minimum, prioritizing underserved areas.
Security Measures: All early and absentee votes require the national Voter ID for verification. Ballots include tracking codes for voters to confirm receipt, and states must conduct post-election audits on a sample of mail ballots.
Accommodations: Special provisions for military/overseas voters (e.g., electronic transmission where secure) and those with disabilities (e.g., curbside voting or home delivery in extreme cases).
This approach balances access with feasibility, drawing from successful programs in states like Wisconsin (which offers no-excuse absentee and early voting) to increase turnout without overwhelming election officials.
Paper Trails and Audits: Require auditable paper trails for all votes to enable recounts.
State Flexibility: Allow states to maintain options like early voting, mail voting, avoiding blanket bans proposed in other bills.
Funding and Oversight: Provide federal grants to states for implementation, overseen by a bipartisan board to monitor progress and address concerns.
Q: How does this differ from the SAVE Act and MEGA Act?
A: The SAVE and MEGA Acts impose strict proof-of-citizenship requirements (e.g., passports or birth certificates, which many Americans lack) and measures like bans on ballot harvesting or mandatory Election Day receipt for mail ballots, which could disenfranchise low-income, elderly, or mobile voters. My plan uses a free, federal Voter ID with easy alternatives and expands access through same-day registration and a national holiday, focusing on inclusion rather than barriers.
Q: Is this plan secure against fraud?
A: Absolutely. The national Voter ID, tied to verified citizenship and residency checks, provides a uniform safeguard. Combined with paper trails and audits, it minimizes risks, much like Wisconsin's system, which has high integrity without fraud issues.
Q: What about costs? Who pays for the national Voter ID?
A: The federal government funds the initial rollout and free first copies, estimated at $500 million, using existing infrastructure. States receive grants to implement, making it cost-effective long-term, especially with digital options reducing printing needs.
Q: How does this help vulnerable groups like the homeless or low-income voters?
A: It includes alternatives for those without standard IDs (e.g., tax docs or affidavits), address options for the homeless (e.g., shelters), and fee waivers for low-income or frequent movers. The goal is zero barriers for eligible citizens.
Q: Won't open primaries allow party sabotage through crossover voting?
A: Data from open-primary states like Wisconsin shows this is rare and doesn't undermine elections. It actually increases participation and reflects the will of more voters, including independents.
Q: What if someone loses their Voter ID right before Election Day?
A: Digital backups provide immediate access. For physical replacements, expedited options could be available, but simple loss doesn't qualify for a fee waiver to promote responsibility. Use the app or provisional ballots as a safety net.
Q: How will this be implemented without state resistance?
A: Phase it in over 2-4 years with federal incentives and opt-outs for non-federal elections. Bipartisan oversight ensures fairness, and building on successful state models like Wisconsin's minimizes disruption.
Q: Does this plan address non-citizen voting concerns?
A: Yes. Citizenship is verified during ID issuance via federal databases, providing a stronger check than requiring rare documents at registration.
Q: Why make Election Day a national holiday?
A: It removes work-related barriers, boosting turnout especially for hourly workers. Studies show holidays or flexible voting increase participation by 5-10%.
Q: What about privacy and security concerns with the digital Voter ID app?
A: Security is paramount. The app would use advanced encryption, biometric authentication (like fingerprint or face ID), and store minimal data—only what's needed for verification, hosted on secure federal servers compliant with standards like NIST cybersecurity frameworks. No data would be sold or shared without consent, and strict laws would prohibit unauthorized access, with penalties for breaches. Independent audits by cybersecurity experts would be required annually to ensure protection against hacks.
Q: How will the digital Voter ID be rolled out to address comfort levels?
A: To build trust, we'd start with a voluntary opt-in pilot program in select states or districts, allowing users to test it alongside physical IDs. After proving its security through real-world use and audits (e.g., 1-2 years), it could phase in more broadly, always with the option for paper IDs for those who prefer them.
Q: How does the plan ensure bipartisan oversight and fairness in implementation?
A: To promote trust and accountability, the Fair Elections Integrity Act includes a bipartisan oversight board composed of representatives from both major parties, independents, and election experts. This board will monitor the rollout, distribute federal grants to states, and address any concerns or discrepancies, ensuring the plan is implemented fairly without partisan bias. Annual reports to Congress will keep the process transparent!