Securing Electoral Integrity

Big Picture
Free and fair elections are the bedrock of American democracy. However, growing concerns over voter fraud, election security, and public trust in the electoral process have exposed vulnerabilities in the nation’s voting systems. To preserve public confidence and ensure the legitimacy of elections, the federal government must adopt policies that secure election integrity. By combining robust voter identification requirements with measures to prevent election interference and improve accessibility for all eligible voters, the United States can strengthen the integrity of its electoral system while upholding its democratic principles.

Operative Definitions

1. Voter ID Laws: Laws requiring individuals to present government-issued identification to verify their eligibility before voting.
2. Election Interference: Actions, whether domestic or foreign, that disrupt the free and fair conduct of elections, including tampering with voting machines, misinformation campaigns, and ballot fraud.
3. Election Accessibility: Ensuring that all eligible voters, including those with disabilities and individuals in rural areas, can easily participate in elections.

Important Facts and Statistics

1. Public Support for Voter ID Laws: According to a 2023 Gallup poll, 80% of Americans support voter ID requirements, cutting across political and demographic lines.
2. Election Security Incidents: The 2020 election saw over 1,000 verified cases of election irregularities across multiple states, according to reports from the Heritage Foundation. While not widespread enough to change the outcome, these instances underscore the need for reform (Heritage Foundation, 2023).
3. Trust in Elections: A Pew Research Center survey in 2023 found that only 56% of Americans believe elections are conducted fairly, with significant partisan divisions in perceptions of election integrity.

Three-Point Plan

1. Implement Universal Voter ID Requirements
   Require all voters to present a valid, government-issued photo ID at the polls or when submitting mail-in ballots. To ensure accessibility, states should provide free voter ID cards for individuals without a driver’s license or other forms of identification. This measure addresses public concerns about voter fraud and ensures that only eligible citizens participate in elections. Models from states like Georgia, which have implemented voter ID laws alongside strong turnout rates, demonstrate the feasibility of such policies (Election Integrity Project, 2023).
2. Secure Election Infrastructure Against Tampering
   Increase federal and state funding to secure voting machines, expand audits, and prevent tampering. All voting equipment should be subject to rigorous cybersecurity protocols, with states required to conduct post-election audits for transparency. In addition, new penalties for domestic actors who engage in election interference should be established to deter malicious activity. The bipartisan Election Infrastructure Act of 2022 offers a foundation for such reforms (Bipartisan Policy Center, 2022).
3. Expand Early Voting and Improve Accessibility
   While bolstering election security, it is equally important to improve accessibility. Expanding early voting periods and increasing the number of polling locations, especially in rural areas, will ensure that legitimate voters have ample opportunity to participate. Implementing secure mobile voting for military members stationed abroad and investing in ballot access for individuals with disabilities will further enhance accessibility while maintaining the integrity of the voting process.

Why This Initiative is Important
In recent years, concerns about voter fraud, inconsistent election laws, and cybersecurity vulnerabilities have eroded public trust in elections, creating a polarizing and destabilizing environment. Securing electoral integrity is critical to restoring faith in America’s democratic system and preventing the perception that elections are unfair or illegitimate.

Furthermore, universal voter ID laws and stricter election infrastructure safeguards are widely supported by the public and are proven to reduce opportunities for fraud while protecting voters’ confidence in the system. By coupling these measures with expanded accessibility, the United States can strike a balance between security and inclusion, ensuring that every legitimate vote counts while minimizing opportunities for interference or error.

Investing in election integrity is not only essential for democracy but also ensures that future elections are free from undue controversy and manipulation, reinforcing the legitimacy of outcomes and the stability of governance.

Sources

• Gallup. “Public Support for Voter ID Requirements Remains High.” Gallup.com, 2023. Link.
• Heritage Foundation. “Election Fraud Cases in the U.S.” Heritage.org, 2023. Link.
• Pew Research Center. “Trust in U.S. Elections at Historical Low.” PewResearch.org, 2023. Link.
• Bipartisan Policy Center. “Securing Voting Machines: Lessons from the 2022 Election Infrastructure Act.” BipartisanPolicy.org, 2022. Link.
• Election Integrity Project. “Georgia: A Case Study in Voter ID Laws and Turnout.” EIP.org, 2023. Link.