The ongoing struggle to protect democratic processes in the United States is underscored by actions from various state governments and the federal administration. While significant attention is directed towards measures implemented by the Trump administration and Republican-led states that may undermine free elections, it is essential to recognize that Democratic-controlled states also exhibit barriers to voting and insufficient protections against local misconduct.

To address these issues, several legislative changes have been proposed to enhance voter enfranchisement and safeguard electoral integrity. These reforms include:

1. **Enacting a statutory right to vote for every eligible citizen.** Currently, there is no explicit federal constitutional right to vote, and state constitutions often provide limited protections. States can strengthen voting rights by enacting clear laws that affirm the right to vote and ensure that government actions do not unjustly impede this right.

2. **Banning signature matching of mail-in ballots.** The practice of validating mail-in ballots through signature matching has led to the rejection of numerous lawful ballots based on subjective assessments by election officials. This method lacks scientific support and disproportionately affects voters with inconsistent signatures, necessitating a ban on this practice.

3. **Counting all ballots postmarked by Election Day.** States should ensure that ballots mailed on or before Election Day are counted, even if they arrive late due to postal delays. This approach is already adopted by nineteen states and should be implemented universally.

4. **Guaranteeing voters will not wait more than 30 minutes in line.** Long wait times at polling places can deter voter participation, particularly among those who cannot afford to take time off work. States should implement measures to track and publicize wait times and consider compensating voters who experience excessive delays.

5. **Banning third-party voter challenges and vigilantism.** The practice of allowing private individuals to challenge voter registrations can lead to intimidation and harassment. This should be prohibited to protect the integrity of the voting process.

6. **Providing criminal and civil remedies for voter intimidation.** As incidents of voter intimidation increase, states need to establish stronger legal protections against such actions, ensuring that victims have access to prompt remedies.

7. **Revising and strengthening election-certification laws.** The election certification process has been compromised in some areas, with local officials facing pressure to reject valid results. States should revise their laws to clarify the certification process and impose penalties for officials who fail to fulfill their duties.

These proposed reforms aim to fortify the electoral system against current threats and ensure that all eligible citizens can participate in the democratic process without undue hindrance.

In parallel, the federal government's role in election integrity is under scrutiny, particularly with individuals who previously sought to overturn the 2020 U.S. presidential election now holding influential positions. Notably, Harmeet Dhillon, associated with claims of election fraud, leads the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, while Heather Honey, known for her election denial stance, serves as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Election Integrity at the Department of Homeland Security.

This shift in power has raised alarms among election experts and officials, with concerns that the influence of election denialism has permeated various levels of government. The Trump administration has initiated requests for voter data from states, which could potentially disenfranchise eligible voters and lay the groundwork for future fraud allegations. State election officials have reported a breakdown in trust with the federal government, stating that it is no longer a reliable partner in upholding democratic processes.

Additionally, the erosion of voting rights for naturalized citizens has emerged as a significant issue. Recent measures implemented by the Trump administration and Republican officials in key states have created barriers to voting for naturalized citizens, including selective surveillance and intimidating rhetoric. This trend suggests that the full benefits of citizenship remain elusive for many.

The Republican Party's narrative has framed naturalized citizens as potential threats to electoral integrity, with high-ranking officials portraying their participation in elections as disruptive. This rhetoric has been accompanied by actions such as a ban on non-governmental organizations providing voter registration assistance at naturalization ceremonies, which has been challenged in federal lawsuits.

Furthermore, the administration's expansion of the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) database to include voter roll verification has resulted in erroneous flags of naturalized citizens as noncitizens, leading to mass purges based on flawed data. The cumulative effect of these policies fosters an environment of fear and uncertainty among immigrant communities, potentially discouraging participation in the electoral process.

As the midterm elections approach, there are indications that efforts to undermine electoral integrity will escalate, with potential pressure on local officials to implement policies that align with the administration's agenda. The decentralized nature of U.S. elections complicates any attempts to overturn results, but the current environment of uncertainty and mistrust poses significant challenges to the electoral process. Election administrators are urged to remain steadfast in their duties amidst the growing political pressures.