Dear John,

The newly proposed nationwide “show your papers” voter registration rule would create a two-tier democracy — one where people with easy access to passports and birth certificates keep their voice, while millions of others lose their votes. By tying the right to vote to producing paperwork that many Americans just don’t have immediate access to, this policy would strip millions of eligible citizens of their most basic democratic right.

America First Legal, a right-wing law firm started by Trump henchman Stephen Miller, is petitioning the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to adopt a policy that could block as many as 21 million eligible voters from registering. And it’s no accident who would be hit the hardest: married women and others who have changed their names, young people, seniors, voters of color, Indigenous communities, and low-income Americans — groups that already face substantial barriers to voting.

This is not about election integrity. Non-citizen voting is virtually nonexistent. State investigations repeatedly confirm it is extremely rare. Safeguards are already in place to ensure that only eligible citizens register and vote. The true purpose of this policy is clear: to narrow the electorate by exploiting existing inequalities.

The EAC is accepting public comments until October 20, and we need your voice! Tell the EAC to reject America First Legal’s “show your papers” policy that will disqualify millions of eligible citizens from voting.

Tell the EAC not to target the most vulnerable citizens, but to work to expand the vote to as many voters as possible. The EAC’s mission must be to assist eligible voters, not to throw additional roadblocks in front of them. Its role is to make democracy stronger by expanding access, not weaker by requiring more from those with the least resources.

At its core, this is about what kind of democracy we want: one that is inclusive and equal, or one that entrenches inequality by silencing millions of voices. “One person, one vote” only has meaning if every eligible citizen can cast that vote without unnecessary hurdles.

The EAC needs to hear from you during its public comments period, which is open through tomorrow, October 20.

Tell the Commission to reject this discriminatory petition before it’s too late.

Thank you for standing strong for equality, fairness, and democracy.

Robert Reich
Inequality Media Civic Action