Kansas Democrats’ mail-in ballots protect voters. It’s clear why the GOP fights them
Last week, former Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach and Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel claimed that to expand voting by mail during the COVID-19 pandemic would undermine our democracy.
We’ve seen this rhetoric time and again. Unsurprisingly, Kobach and McDaniel’s arguments were nothing more than a repeated trope taken from the Republican playbook designed to maintain power through voter suppression. I’m not editorializing: President Donald Trump himself said that he opposed the voting reforms introduced by Democrats because they would increase voter turnout so drastically that “you’d never have a Republican elected in this country again.”
Never mind the hypocrisy that Trump himself already voted by mail this year — amid the current coronavirus pandemic, the moot argument Republicans are broadcasting against comprehensive voter reform is even more dangerous.
What’s more, Kansas Democrats currently have a unique and influential opportunity to show the nation that a vote-by-mail election can protect voters and the integrity of our democracy as well during this uncertain time.
The Kansas Democratic Party began planning a vote-by-mail program over a year ago to make the 2020 presidential primary as accessible, inclusive and safe as possible for our members. The party has already mailed 400,000 ballots to registered Kansas Democrats, who know that election integrity and a healthy democracy are not mutually exclusive. We prioritized security since the beginning of our planning process to ensure our election is fair, transparent and a true reflection of the preferences of Kansas voters. We welcome the Republican Party to take a few notes from us on this topic.
In a shameful exposé of the GOP’s craven self-interest, last week the nation watched Wisconsin Republicans jeopardize public health and safety by forcing thousands of people to choose between protecting their health and fulfilling their civic responsibility. During this crisis, Democrats are offering a path that protects Americans and our sacred right to vote, while Republicans are literally putting lives on the line to suppress our voices.
At a time when social distancing is paramount to staying healthy and preventing our health care system from being overwhelmed by new COVID-19 infections, it is the responsibility of federal and state governments to exhaust all possible options to ensure the 2020 election is safe and accessible for all voters. As Nov. 3 gets closer every day, it is crucial we prevent the shameful disaster in Wisconsin from occurring at the national level by adopting wide-reaching vote-by-mail programs.
At the end of the day, the only salient points from McDaniel, Kobach and Republicans alike in this debate are:
▪ The GOP is becoming increasingly nervous about its electoral prospects in 2020.
▪ The party is trying to shut out as many voters as possible during this crucial election cycle to gain an unfair advantage.
As for the first point, Republicans are right to be worried. With Trump’s lack of preparedness and his chaotic COVID-19 response failing to keep Americans safe, coupled with record high turnout rates in Democratic primaries across the country, it is clear voters are tired of the Trump administration’s backward agenda.
In 2020, we know hardworking Kansans will continue the trend of voting for public servants who fight for health care reform, workers’ rights and an economy that works for all of us — all of which will be on the ballot in November. At the Kansas Democratic Party, we are enormously proud to be providing Kansas Democrats a safe and inclusive 2020 primary during this difficult time, and we implore other states and the federal government to do the same.
Together, we will prove that voting by mail is the answer to keep our communities safe and our democracy vibrant. Onward.
Vicki Hiatt is chair of the Kansas Democratic Party.
This story was originally published April 15, 2020 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Kansas Democrats’ mail-in ballots protect voters. It’s clear why the GOP fights them."