The only way to nullify the hundreds of state-wide voter suppression acts now being considered is to pass a federal voter protection act. With the Republican and Democratic legislations in Washington so diametrically opposed to each other, the essential strategy must be compromise. Both parties have to be able to tell their constituencies that they have achieved some small victory. However, over all, it would be a total embarrassment if the Dems couldn’t keep most of their voter protection principles intact. There is a lot of discussion on this topic in Congress right now and we the people may never hear the bulk of it. But creative ideas may also emanate from the general population. To this end, here are some potential solutions that can move us forward.

Appoint a bi-partisan commission in Congress to investigate voting procedures in other western-style Democracies that possess a similar quality of life. In the U.S. we may view certain rules as suppression while other democracies might not find them very disturbing at all.

We could require a fool-proof identification card to be presented for in-person voting. They could be enhanced driver’s licenses of a national identification card with similar unforgeable features. Mail-in ballots would have to be certified by presenting I.D. at the post office or including a document of proof in the envelope. Handicapped voters might need an official from the board of elections to personally collect their ballots unless a more practical system can be found. Finally, online voting might be too controversial to consider. For those who consider these ideas too restrictive, we must then open up discussion to find better ones. The key to reaching an agreement is presenting concepts that engender trust within both parties. Meanwhile, the crazy quilt of gerrymandered districts is an even thornier issue that needs rectification.

If you listen to Trump, there’s no way we can have a fair election unless he wins. Thus, the election can always be nullified. “Heads I win, tails I lose.” We must convince the electorate that this is totally unacceptable. Everybody must understand the need for a federal voting rights act.

Allan Frank

Phillipsport