All American voters’ rights must be protected

Former U.S. Attorney General William Barr said it himself on Dec. 1: "The Justice Department has found no evidence of fraud that would change the outcome of the election."

The morning after the Capitol riot, Iowa Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst and all four Iowa U.S. House representatives voted to certify the 2020 presidential election results.

But the influence of the thousands of rioters who stormed the Capitol — goaded on by Trump's false accusations of voter fraud, rigged voting machines, and various conspiracy theories — is even more apparent than ever.

In 2021, Iowa Republican lawmakers were focused on limiting voter access, based on Trump's false stories of a "stolen election."

In 19 states, including Iowa, Republican legislatures passed 34 new laws that would further restrict vote by mail, early in-person, and election day voting. Another13 similar bills in four states are being considered in 2022.

It is time for Congress to pass the Freedom to Vote Act (S. 2747) and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (HR4) to protect voters. It is up to Congress to protect the voting rights of every American.

Putin's war in Ukraine illustrates how fragile Democracy is. And how just one person with too much unchecked power can threaten it — and cause monstrous tragedy in our world.

Let's all do our part to strengthen, not weaken, our democracy.

Contact Grassley at 202-224-3744 and Ernst at 202-224-3254.

Tell them we must protect every eligible voter's rights.

Deb Lechtenberg

Dundee