GOP Secretary of State: Biden Order Enables Illegal Voting
Republican Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson has sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland, warning that a 2021 executive order signed by President Joe Biden could allow felons and illegal immigrants to register to vote in elections.
The executive order, which the White House described as an effort to promote “access to voting,” directed federal agencies, including the Department of Justice (DOJ), to “consider ways to expand citizens’ opportunities to register to vote and to obtain information about, and participate in, the electoral process.”
In his letter, Watson expressed concern over a provision that instructed the DOJ to ensure that the U.S. Marshals Service change jail and “intergovernmental agreements” to mandate that the facilities “provide educational materials related to voter registration and voting,” and “facilitate voting by mail, to the extent practicable and appropriate.”
According to Watson, the problem lies in the potential distribution of these materials to individuals who are ineligible to vote, such as felons and illegal immigrants. He also argued that state officials are essentially being forced to comply with these rules.
“Our understanding is that everyone in the Marshals’ custody is given a form advising them of their right to register and vote,” Watson’s letter stated. “Providing ineligible non-citizens with information on how to register to vote undoubtedly encourages them to illegally register to vote, exposing them to legal jeopardy beyond their immigration status.”
Watson also warned that many outside groups performing voter registration and vote harvesting services are partisan entities with a history of being unreliable, and that it is improper for the federal government to push these groups into the voting process in Mississippi or any other state.
Speaking to Fox News, Watson emphasized the urgency of addressing this issue, given the upcoming 2024 election and the significant number of illegal border crossings in recent years. He expressed concern that illegal immigrants could attempt to register to vote and cast ballots in the coming months.
The issue of illegal immigration has become a focal point for American voters, with recent polls indicating that a majority of Americans now view it as a serious problem and support the construction of a border wall.
As the debate surrounding voting rights and election integrity continues, Watson’s letter highlights the ongoing concerns among some Republican officials about the potential for voter fraud and the role of the federal government in the electoral process.
