|
 "I think most newspapermen by definition have to be liberal; if they're not
liberal, by my definition of it, then they can hardly be good newspapermen." –
Walter Cronkite
The Georgia Election Integrity Act of 2021 triggered national apoplexy, with
Democrats, led by President Joe Biden, admonishing them as Jim Crow 2. The
fallout from Biden's rant led to Major League Baseball relocating its all-star
game to Colorado. But sorting fact from fiction indicates this was Democratic
politics at its worst since Colorado's voting laws are far more restrictive than
any laws in Georgia.
The Washington Post, not known for being pro right on anything, gave Biden “four
Pinocchios” for his claim that SB 202 was “21st century Jim Crow.” According to
the Post, the net effect of the Election Integrity Act was to expand
opportunities to vote for Georgians, not limit them.” Elections expert Charles
Stewart said, “The expanded voting hours boosted turnout for all Georgia
voters."
In the first election held under the Election Integrity Act, Georgians showed up
in record numbers during three weeks of early voting for the 2022 primary. Short
lines, easy ballot access and security brought out over 850,000 to cast their
ballots, which was an increase of 168% over the last election.
This was also a substantial 212% increase in Georgia's last presidential primary
election in 2020.
This election discredited Biden's claim SB 202 was Jim Crow 2 and proved he
never worked in the civil rights movement as he claimed. There were no literacy
tests, poll taxes or fighting off billy clubs and police dogs while trying to
vote. Biden's remarks were an insult to Georgia's lawmakers.
"I don't recall specific times and places we picketed, but I guarantee you, I
was there." – Joe Biden
Although the Democrats claim to be the champions of higher turnout and making it
easier to vote on Election Day, when it comes to scheduling off-cycle elections,
the Democratic Party is the king of voter suppression. Off-year elections have
much lower turnouts and Democrats want it that way.
Many off year elections take place for local offices, like city and county
commissions and school boards. This also includes referendums to raise property
taxes and registration fees. But only a small number of highly engaged voters
participate in these elections, especially those who live in rural areas of the
state. Most rural areas are unaware that these elections are even taking place.
Election law expert Rick Hasen notes that there is a philosophical divide
between the parties. For Republicans, some requirements for participation, such
as voter ID laws, can help the functioning of a democracy. Republicans believe
voter ID laws prevent fraud and foster confidence in the system. They also argue
that ID regulations attract voters who are better informed and educated on
issues.
Hansen claims that the Democratic philosophy about voting is entirely different.
Democrats care far less about "informed voters" and much more about "universal
or mandated participation." The left believes all voices ought to be heard in
the electoral sphere, educated or not about candidates or issues. This heard
mentality anyone-can-vote, legal-or-not is about counting numbers, nothing else.
Debates over issues like voter ID are politically explosive for both parties,
but the motivations and strategies of how and when Democratic states schedule
their elections profoundly benefit them.
In the blue state of New Jersey, the election calendar is absolute chaos. New
Jersey holds federal elections on the same days as the rest of the country. But
elections for state offices in New Jersey are held in November of odd-numbered
years. School district elections are held the third Tuesday in April. And fire
district commissioner elections are on the third "Saturday" each February.
[to top of second column] |
“I try to stay in a constant state of confusion because of the expression it
leaves on my face.” – Johnny Depp
Political scientist Sarah Anzia of UC Berkley said these off calendar elections
are for politicians, not voters, since voters don't like making multiple trips
to precincts, which sometimes change mid year. It is not uncommon for voters to
show up where they voted before only to find it has been relocated.
In a national survey of voters from all political parties, voters were asked if
they prefer elections held at different times for different offices because it
allowed them to focus on a shorter list of issues or candidates. Most voters
said they preferred consolidated elections for all offices.
"Most voters show up for a presidential election, but won't cross the street to
vote for the school board." – Henry Young
All blue states are notorious for splitting local office elections from federal
campaigns. If they were to combine all elections, it would boost voter turnout
for these elections. Although 93% of all voters prefer combined elections,
Democrats refuse to do this. They need to control local government so they can
fill school boards and the county commissions with liberals who support big
government.
According to Sarah Anzia, over 200 bills aimed at consolidating elections were
filed between 2001 and 2011 across the country. Over half of them were focused
specifically on moving school board election dates so they'd coincide with other
elections. But only 25 of them passed and were signed into law.
"God made the Idiot for practice, and then He made the School Board." – Mark
Twain
Every one of these bills to consolidate school board elections with other
general election dates was sponsored by Republicans. Most of these bills
proposed failed to get out of the first committee due to opposition from
Democratic-aligned interest groups. Teachers unions and municipal employee
organizations united with Democratic legislatures and stopped these bills from
getting to the floor.
Democrats, teachers and public service unions fight like junkyard dogs to
protect their turf from the GOP. When municipal offices and school boards hold
separate elections at odd times, few voters even bother to show up. Only those
with a special interest in these elections such as friends, family and
co-workers go to the polls. This allows big government liberals to set policy
and maintain it.
Sarah Anzia points out that deliberately moving school board elections to
different dates than other elections always results in higher salaries and
better benefits for teachers and other school district employees. She said when
elections are combined, salaries are reduced and so are other benefits.
Sophocles told us, "There is no greater evil than deception." Local government
is the farm system for state and federal offices. If your state splits the
election cycle to allow favorite daughters and sons to control schools and local
government, it's time your state legislatures got a wake up call. Local
government and the school boards have been playing with a stacked deck. The only
ones benefiting from off calendar elections are teachers, public servant unions
and liberal politicians.
"Liberals do things that make them look good, feel good and sound good – but
show little interest in the actual consequences of their actions as long as
things are done their way.” – Thomas Sowell
|
