The Democrat Party’s platform released ahead of the Democratic National Convention calls for expanded federal authority over state elections through the Department of Justice. Framing it as a defense of “voting rights,” the platform advocates for doubling the DOJ’s staff to challenge state election laws.
Central to this agenda is the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act, a proposed law that would impose stricter requirements on states before they can change election laws. Critics say the act would enable leftist groups and the DOJ to interfere with state election rules under the pretext of preventing discrimination. The act seeks to reverse the Supreme Court’s Shelby County v. Holder decision, which struck down outdated federal oversight from the 1965 Voting Rights Act.
Democrats have targeted Georgia’s voter ID law, labeling it as “voter suppression.” President Biden has compared Georgia’s election reforms to “Jim Crow” tactics, though polling shows widespread public support for voter ID requirements. Pew Research found that 81% of Americans favor voter ID laws, undercutting the narrative that these laws are discriminatory.
The push for federal oversight comes amid broader Democrat-led efforts to transform election processes at the state level, including challenges to state laws requiring proof of citizenship for voting. Critics argue that this approach undermines the Constitution, which grants states the primary authority over elections. As the debate heats up, many see this latest push as a power grab disguised as a civil rights initiative.
