Democrats Push DOJ To Overrule State Election Laws In Name Of ‘Voting Rights’
In their latest platform, the Democrat Party unveiled a plan to increase federal control over state election laws, setting the stage for a contentious battle over states’ rights. Released ahead of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, the platform calls for expanding the Department of Justice’s authority to intervene in state elections. Leftists argue this move is necessary to protect “voting rights” — but critics see it as an attempt to undermine state sovereignty.
The proposal highlights the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act, which would restore and expand federal oversight over state election procedures. Proponents claim the law is essential to prevent discrimination, but conservative voices warn it’s an unconstitutional power grab.
The 2013 Supreme Court ruling in Shelby County v. Holder struck down outdated provisions of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, which had required federal “preclearance” of certain states’ election laws. The new Democrat-backed legislation would reintroduce and tighten those controls, allowing the DOJ to block state election laws based on unproven allegations of voter suppression.
The push to federalize elections comes as Democrats continue to target Georgia’s voter ID laws, which require ID for absentee ballots and secure drop boxes. Despite 81% of Americans supporting voter ID requirements according to a recent Pew Research study, President Joe Biden labeled Georgia’s law as “Jim Crow 2.0,” further fueling the debate.
Critics note that the Democrats’ platform ironically calls for more federal control while decrying Republican efforts to protect election integrity as “authoritarian.” Legal challenges to these laws are already underway, with the DOJ joining leftist groups like the ACLU to overturn state election laws. As the election season heats up, the battle over federal versus state control is only set to intensify.
