In a follow-up tweet that expounded on a letter penned in January on election reform, Georgia Secretary of State, Brad Raffensperger, reiterated his call for a federal Constitutional amendment on U.S. citizenship and election integrity.
“A citizenship amendment is a necessary security measure that will ensure that only American citizens are voting in our elections. We need an amendment now,” Raffensperger said.
A citizenship amendment is a necessary security measure that will ensure that only American citizens are voting in our elections. We need an amendment now.https://t.co/WfVqVz59qt
— GA Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (@GaSecofState) June 16, 2022
The Floyd County Republican Party tweeted a response to Raffenpserger.
“Only American citizens should vote in American elections – period. Stacey Abrams ‘wouldn’t oppose’ non-citizens voting in local elections,” said the Floyd County GOP.
Raffensperger’s comments stem from a letter published in January where he touted Senate Bill 202, discussed election reform, and criticized both Stacey Abrams and the Biden Administration.
“A citizens-only amendment on the federal level, and in the states as well, is the best path forward to keep our elections secure,” Raffensperger said. “The U.S. must amend its Constitution to clarify that the privilege of choosing leaders should belong only to those who have willingly, and lawfully, committed to joining its ranks.”
The state’s top election official criticized the move in some liberal states to expand voting rights to non-citizens of the United States.
“To counter a growing push in New York, Vermont, San Diego, and other liberal enclaves to allow noncitizens to vote, it is time to take a stand and protect the integrity of our elections from this extreme liberal agenda,” Raffensperger wrote.
The Georgia secretary of state also criticized “stolen election rhetoric” with regards to both the 2018 and 2020 elections at the Georgia state level and the national presidential level. In particular, he brought up the fact that Stacey Abrams opined that the 2018 gubernatorial election was illegitimately won by Brian Kemp.
“To this day, Ms. Abrams maintains that her election was stolen and argues her case was “different” from Mr. Trump’s. The same media outlets that reported around the clock that Mr. Trump stole his election have been quiet since the evidence disproved that claim,” Raffensperger said.
He added that discussion of stolen elections in order to serve political agendas is a hindrance to democracy.
“Stolen election rhetoric undermines our democracy and threatens voter confidence to fit political agendas. These claims are wrong and cripple public confidence in our election systems,” Raffensperger said. “Many of the same actors unquestioningly endorsed Ms. Abrams’s claims that her election was stolen.”
On Thursday, the head of the election process for the Empire State of the South reiterated his contention that Senate Bill 202 is a national legislative model for election reform at the state level.
“Thanks to S.B. 202, Georgia is the leading force in election integrity, with other states using our law as a model. Our elections are balanced with accessibility and security,” the secretary of state said.
The Biden Administration, in addition to Abrams, was a recipient of Raffensperger’s criticism.
“On the federal level, the Biden administration and its allies are looking to make it impossible to ensure noncitizens are prevented from getting on the voter rolls,” Raffensperger said.
– – –
Addison Basurto is a reporter at The Georgia Star and The Star News Network. Follow Addy on Twitter and GETTR. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Brad Raffensperger” by Brad Raffensperger. Background Photo “Ballot Drop Box” by Paul Sableman. CC BY 2.0.
