The following is a statement from Tianna Mays, legal director at Democracy Defenders Action, regarding President Trump’s recent calls to “nationalize” elections and congressional efforts to advance the SAVE Act and the MEGA Act. The first proposal would restrict voter access and the second would strip states of their constitutional authority over elections.

“Attacks on our elections have been building for years, but President Trump and his allies in Congress have now thrown open the floodgates. The right to vote, free and fair elections, and a government accountable to the people are the foundation of any democracy. Yet GOP leaders are actively undermining those principles under the false pretense of ‘election integrity.’

“President Trump’s call to nationalize elections is part of a long-running, coordinated effort to silence voters and override the Constitution. Trump was explicit when he said Republicans—one party—should ‘take over’ elections and ‘take over voting in at least 15 places.’ Single-party control over our elections and who can vote is the antithesis of democracy.

“Unfortunately, congressional Republicans have made it clear they are willing to go along for the ride. The SAVE Act and the MEGA Act would disenfranchise millions of eligible Americans by imposing extreme proof-of-citizenship requirements, gutting vote by mail, and forcing states to rely on flawed federal databases.

“GOP leaders have signaled they are willing to bulldoze opposition by bending long-standing Senate rules through a so-called ‘standing filibuster’ to force passage of these measures, even though the bills lack majority support and have unified opposition. Outrageously, President Trump and congressional Republicans would impose unfunded mandates on the states to enact these authoritarian measures.

“Elections in this country are run by states for a reason—the Constitution. Federal takeovers, voter surveillance schemes, onerous show-me-your-papers requirements and other procedural power plays are designed to exhaust dissent and represent yet another authoritarian assault on our democratic system.

“Americans deserve elections that are fair, accessible, and secure. And we deserve lawmakers who serve voters, not political power grabs. Democracy Defenders Action will continue to oppose these anti-voter bills and fight for real solutions that protect and strengthen the freedom to vote for every eligible American.”

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Democracy Defenders Action brings together a nonpartisan team to work with national, state, and local allies across the country to defend in real-time the foundations of our democracy.