To: Reince Preibus, Chair, Republican National Committee
Protect Voters from Trump's "patrols"
Trump's recent allegations that the election is rigged and calls for groups (mobs) to "watch your polling booths…(in)…certain areas" appear designed to intimidate voters in low-income and minority communities. If the Republican Party is committed to free elections and the democratic process, it should publicly and widely denounce Trump's efforts to undermine them, and commit to protecting the rights of voters—of all colors, genders and incomes—at the polls.
Why is this important?
The Republican Party claims to be committed to free elections and the democratic process despite its consistent efforts to disenfranchise voters through so called "Voter ID laws." Many of the Party's leaders have broken with Trump lately as if he were not a representation of the themes the Party has been advocating for decades (although he has discarded the frills and obfuscation). Trump's recent allegations that the election is rigged and his calls for group (mobs) to "watch your polling booths…(in)…certain areas" all contribute to what Matt Viser and Tracy Jan's October 15 Boston Globe story says is his increasing tendency "undermine faith in democratic institutions." This is a very scary scenario. If Republicans have any commitment beyond lip service to the electoral process, they need to publicly and widely denounce Trump's efforts to undermine it, and commit to protecting the rights of voters—of all colors, genders and incomes—at the polls.