Changes would only help Democrats, incumbents
Proposed House Bills HJ 58 and 59 seek to amend our state Constitution to allow no-excuse mail-in voting and early voting. Contrary to what the proponents say, these changes would not expand our democracy (which our Founding Fathers established to be a republic) or reduce corruption in the voting systems. Nor are the current systems substantially racist. Rather, these changes would expand the opportunities for abuses and maintenance of the political status quo.
Very simply, the proposed measures focus on vote quantity at the expense of vote quality. The focus on vote quantity would favor the Democratic and liberal establishment candidates largely because of the liberal biased mainstream and social media and related factors.
The current processes are not substantially racist. I have run for local, state and federal offices on several occasions. Each time, I have sent fliers advising of available transportation for those who wish to go to the voting locations. Each time that I've done this, my campaign has received between zero and two requests for transportation. Therefore, transportation is not the issue.
The changes would not facilitate elderly and infirm voters. The current provisions for absentee ballots give reasons that would likely allow for them to legally vote via absentee ballots.
These proposed measures would not reduce corruption by aggressive and unscrupulous campaign operatives. Rather, it is well-known and recognized that any expansion of mail-in or absentee balloting increases voter fraud. In addition, these measures
would give more opportunity for vote harvesting by the aggressive and unscrupulous campaign operatives.
Both changes for expansion of voting for no-excuse mail-in voting and early voting would give an unfair advantage to the candidates who are part of the establishment Democratic Party political machine. These candidates, many of whom are incumbents, have substantial advantages for funding, media exposure, messaging and favorable media coverage. This means that challenge candidates, be they Republicans or independents or other minor party candidates, need the full opportunity of the election period to campaign, knock on doors, send fliers, etc. Also, there are times that significant developments occur late in the campaign period, sometimes just prior to Election Day. Thus, these voting changes would disenfranchise such challenge candidates for meeting the voters and getting their messages out and also disenfranchise the voters who may be responsive to such campaigning just prior to Election Day. In this manner, the changes would constitute improper voting influence and voting suppression.
I have always run my campaigns as a Republican. Particularly during my 2020 campaign for state representative, I came across many people of all political affiliations, including Republicans, independents, of other minority parties and Democrats, even Democrats who voted for Democratic candidates, who didn’t like or have confidence in the no-excuse mail-in voting.
Just say no to amending our state Constitution.
Ethan Book Bridgeport
The writer is a former candidate for public office.