I fail to understand Donald Trump’s attempts to influence the coming elections through the post office. Article I, Section 4 of the Constitution clearly states ”The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations.”
The president does not decide who votes. Each state does. The Constitution is also very clear about who is in charge of the United States Postal Service. Section 8 of Article I states, “The Congress shall have Power….To establish Post Offices and Post Roads.” It does not give the president any authority whatsoever in ordering the Postal Service to require states to submit lists of their citizens so that his administration can decide who can and who cannot receive a ballot by mail.
Seems to me the opposite is true. States are in charge of who can and cannot vote and Congress is in charge of the Postal Service. The president has no authority in either case.
It is time for the Congress, the courts and the American people to stand together and support the Constitution and the rule of law that is the foundation of this great country of ours. We can disagree without dividing. We can identify ourselves, not as Republican, Democrat or independent, but as Americans. Let’s work together as a people who want free and fair elections for everyone.
Elizabeth B. Tubbs, Holladay