Work to ensure fair electoral process

To the editor:

Thanks to The Gazette for the Aug. 29 editorial about former Iowa Secretary of State Matt Schultz's investigation of voter fraud or the lack thereof ('Voter fraud vigilance is appropriate”).

The article concluded that safeguarding elections is commendable. I say 'bravo.” Democracy depends on elections that are fair, transparent and accessible. Therein lies the problem.

Some of our leaders spend their effort on making sure certain citizens are kept from voting and seem to forget that the basic goal of democracy is the participation of every citizen. Each legislative session includes bills to limit access to the polls through such popular methods as voter photo ID requirements that disproportionately affect women, minority groups and the handicapped.

Let's remember, too, that Iowa is one of only four states that permanently deny felons the right to vote. Under Gov. Terry Branstad, they can recover their right only through a process that would discourage and defeat the most persistent of us. The states of Maine and Vermont never disenfranchise convicted citizens at all. Neither state seems to be suffering from their policy.

Iowa can do better. Let's make sure the electoral process is fair, transparent and accessible. This will ensure that citizens will not be denied their most basic democratic right, the right to vote.

Myrna Loehrlein

Cedar Rapids