(Matthew Perschall/Louisiana Illuminator).In these midterm elections, let us ensure that the people’s voice — the most vital part of governing our republic — survives all the attacks at the state and national level that have been waged to weaken or silence it.
One of the most brazen act of aggression occurred on January 6, 2021, when a mob attacked the U.S. Capitol to prevent Congress from certifying the results of the 2020 presidential election. The mob was mobilized by the false and unsubstantiated claims that the presidential election had been stolen.
The conspiracy theories, blatant lies, misinformation and disinformation seem to have an endless life.
Despite repeated court defeats for efforts to overturn the election results, the attacks on voting rights have continued.
Much has happened in full view. The Trump administration has sought to change election rules, including requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote and restricting mail-in voting. The FBI also seized 2020 election records in Georgia’s Fulton County.
Many other actions have been taken that didn’t make the headlines. They have included trying to usurp state and local control of elections, threatening officials who have spent their careers keeping elections free and honest, and overall undermining voting rights as protected by the U.S. Constitution.
Then there is the looming threat that the National Guard, some other military or para-military presence may be deployed to or around polling places during the upcoming midterm election, which is against federal law.
In recent years, many states have enacted laws restricting voting access. Since 2020, at least 31 states have adopted such measures, including tighter voter ID requirements and limits on mail-in voting.
What changes do you see in Missouri?
Missouri tightened its photo ID requirements in 2022, though the same law also allowed two weeks of no-excuse, in-person absentee voting.
Missouri voters face a different fight over citizen initiatives: whether legislators should be able to make it harder to put proposals on the ballot or overturn laws voters have approved.
Given what hangs in the balance both in Missouri and nationally, voting in these midterm elections is critically important. Our performance at the polls can send the message of a resounding victory if we are willing to show up for the fight by casting our vote no matter what.
Our vote or failure to vote will count. We cannot afford to remain on the sidelines.
It is not a cliché but an axiom: Election results have consequences. We live them daily in one form or the other.
Many of us will be eagerly and anxiously awaiting the election returns on Nov. 3, even in the hours and days afterwards — not only for who or what initiatives win in our city, county and state, but what has occurred in places across the country to garner some idea of what we can expect for the governance of our nation.
Now is not the time to be gullible, nor forget what the last few years have been like. Whether we have been in an environment of progress, pride and hopefulness for the direction in which our city, state and nation seem to be headed.
With all the effort to defeat or negate the people’s participation in how we are governed, these efforts need not win.
A lot is riding on our battle readiness and performance.
Our votes in these midterm elections will make the difference.
Are we ready to show up for duty?
