By Congressman Nick LaLota
As a former Suffolk County Election Commissioner and an attorney who has studied the legal history of Voter ID laws, I understand the positive role that voter ID laws play in maintaining the integrity of our electoral process. We must ensure every American’s vote counts and that our elections are fair and transparent.
During my seven years as Suffolk Elections Commissioner, I successfully managed the complexities of voter roll maintenance and ballot accuracy. From my experience and studying fifty years of Voter ID laws across states, I’ve learned that election integrity depends on clear, consistent procedures. Contrary to Vice President Kamala Harris’ (D-CA) assertion that Voter ID laws are designed to disenfranchise voters, these laws are about safeguarding the sanctity of our votes and ensuring that every legitimate ballot is counted fairly and accurately.
Voter ID would significantly reduce voter fraud by impersonation, which is particularly easy to commit in New York. A fraudster only needs to scribble a signature on the Poll Inspector’s iPad that vaguely resembles the valid voter’s signature, making it simple for someone to vote on behalf of another, such as a father for a son or a daughter for a mother. Practically, Voter ID would also streamline the check-in process at polling places, reducing delays caused by complex name spellings and allowing more valid voters to cast their ballots efficiently.
The future of American elections, in every state, should include Voter ID and the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE Act), which I strongly support, is a vital measure for securing our elections. This legislation seeks to standardize and enhance voter ID requirements nationwide. By establishing uniform standards for verifying voter identity, we can effectively prevent fraud and strengthen public trust in our electoral process.
Opponents of voter ID laws wrongly argue that they disenfranchise marginalized communities. While this may have been the case decades ago, it is no longer so. Modern voter ID laws, modeled after the Indiana Voter ID law that was held to be constitutional by both conservative and liberal Supreme Court Justices, include provisions to ensure that every eligible voter can obtain the necessary identification without undue burdens like a fee or a long wait time. The SAVE Act addresses these concerns by providing options for those who may face difficulties in obtaining ID, ensuring that the process is fair and accessible to all.
The importance of voter ID cannot be overstated. It helps protect the integrity of our elections, deters fraudulent activity, and ensures that each citizen’s vote has the weight it deserves. By passing the SAVE Act, we take a significant step towards restoring confidence in our electoral system and upholding the democratic principles that define our nation.
In our pursuit of a more secure and transparent electoral process, let us remember that ensuring every vote is valid and every voter’s identity is confirmed is not just a matter of policy, but a matter of preserving the trust and integrity of our democracy. I urge my colleagues in Congress to support the SAVE Act and join me in this essential effort to protect our elections and honor every American’s right to vote.
Congressman Nick LaLota (R, NY-01) served as Commissioner of the Suffolk County Board of Elections from 2015 to 2021, where he worked diligently to make it easier to vote and harder to cheat in our democratic process.
