ALEC Ramps Up Election Reform Initiatives for States

The American Legislative Exchange Council, the largest voluntary coalition of state lawmakers, established a voting integrity task force to concentrate on state policies regarding voter ID, mail-in ballots, and blocking foreign election influence among other issues.

ALEC’s Process and Procedures Task Force indicates the influential legislator group known for drafting model bills for state lawmakers is casting a bigger focus on election reforms to come. 

“One thing that becoming a citizen of this country has taught me is that only citizens should have a voice in shaping the future of America,” ALEC National Chair and West Virginia Republican state Sen. Patricia Rucker said in a public statement. “This new task force will help preserve the founder’s intent and ensure the destiny we choose is our own.”

The eletion reform task force will hold its first meeting at the 52nd ALEC Annual Meeting in Indianapolis, which occurs July 16-18, which the group said would focus on strengthening voter ID requirements, blocking foreign campaign donations, and addressing concerns about late-arriving and counting of mail-in ballots.

Other policies being promoted include the Only Citizens Vote Act, model legislation to prevent localities from allowing noncitizen voting; and the School Board Election Date Act, model legislation to move school board elections into even-numbered years to increase turnout. 

“Governments’ processes and procedures serve as the guardrails for democracy,” Task Force Director Katie Thompson said in public statement. “We must ensure the rules of government are made fairly and executed for the betterment of the American people.”

However, critics of such laws have argued that voter ID laws and proof of citizenship requirements place an undue burden on voters and can prevent them from exercising their voting rights.

ALEC points to a March poll by Napolitan News Service showing 73% of registered voters believe mail-in ballots should arrive by Election Day, 75% support requiring photo ID to vote, and 84% want states to remove deceased, relocated, or noncitizens from the voter registration rolls.