Donald Trump has emerged as the nation’s foremost advocate of election integrity. He returned to the national spotlight with a rip-roaring speech at CPAC 2021 where he issued a clarion call for conservatives to save our elections before it is too late. He declared, “We need one election day, not 45, not 30, one day. And the only people that should be allowed to vote by mail are people that can be proven to be either very sick, or out of the country, or military where they can’t do it. One day.”
Touching on the early voting issue was the perfect move for the former president. He has a proven track record of campaigning for winners. If anyone can pressure squishy state legislators to hold the line on election integrity, it’s Trump. He made it clear that if they do not get on board, they will quickly find themselves unemployed.
Trump’s message is one that every conservative needs to echo at this critical moment. Early voting has been a bad deal for voters for years. Early voting states encourage citizens to turn in their ballots weeks in advance, often before major developments in the campaigns take place. Google Trends noticed that the phrase “can I change my vote” trended among searches shortly after President Trump’s last debate with Joe Biden. For many voters asking the question, the answer was no. That left them stuck with their vote for a candidate they didn’t support before Election Day had even begun.
Not only does early voting disenfranchise those who change their minds before Election Day, but it also leaves open the door for interference or outright fraud. Think about it: don’t you think it would be a lot easier to alter the outcome of an election if the ballot boxes stay open for weeks on end?
Election Day is and should be an important day for all Americans. With very limited and specific exceptions, all voting should take place in person at designated polling places on a single day, where lawful American citizens can present their photo ID and cast their ballot for the candidate of their choice.
