1. United States
2. Ohio
3. Letter

I am writing to express my concerns about the recent executive order imposing new federal requirements on voter registration and ballot deadlines. While I strongly support election security, I worry that some of these measures could create unnecessary barriers for eligible voters, particularly seniors, rural voters, and those with disabilities. Requiring documentary proof of citizenship for voter registration may disenfranchise eligible voters who struggle to access the necessary paperwork, especially given the well-documented challenges in obtaining birth certificates and other official documents. Additionally, the change requiring all mail-in ballots to arrive by Election Day—rather than simply being postmarked by then—could penalize voters in areas with slower mail service, particularly military members and those in remote communities. I am also concerned about the role of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in overseeing state voter rolls. Given the challenges and controversies surrounding their management of other federal programs, I question whether they have the expertise or infrastructure to fairly and accurately carry out this responsibility. Effective election oversight requires transparency, expertise, and bipartisan cooperation to ensure both security and accessibility. I urge you to push for election policies that uphold both security and accessibility. Instead of broad federal mandates that could have unintended consequences, I encourage a bipartisan approach that strengthens voter access while ensuring integrity. I would appreciate hearing your thoughts on how we can achieve that balance. Thank you for your time and service.