Why is Donald Trump launching a “major investigation” into allegedly massive voter fraud when there is scant evidence that such fraud exists? This solution without a problem has sinister implications for working-class Americans. The Republican Party will use the conclusions of this so-called “investigation” to move backward on voter rights, thus stifling free and fair elections.

The illusion of voter fraud will be used to justify aggressive purging of voter lists, impose restrictive voter ID laws, discourage early voting, eliminate same-day registration and make it more difficult for the poor, elderly, minorities and people who have to work when the polls are open to vote. In other words, any group that is not traditionally considered to vote Republican will be systematically disenfranchised in every way possible under the guise of eliminating voter fraud.

The second result, more subtle than the first, is to discourage voting by reinforcing the concept that “my vote does not count” and that the system is so flawed that one shouldn’t even bother to vote in the first place.

What we should be fighting for, instead, is making it easier to register to vote; using a common-sense approach to voter ID laws, both when registering and when voting; increasing early voting; encouraging voting absentee for any reason, and making same-day registration a permanent part of the voting system.

Do not be fooled by this insidious attempt at voter suppression. Our democratic system is under attack, and we will be the attack’s victims.

James S. Myers

Berwick

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