Federal elections, which impact all US states and territories, have been far too vulnerable to partisan mishandlings at the state level which reduce the public trust in the democratic process.
This policy initiative is calling to reform federal elections. If states wish to have “unique” policies that deal with local elections, they are free to do so. However, when it comes to Congressional, Senatorial, and Presidential elections, the process and custody of the ballots must be secured.
Registration
Voter registration may be conducted by the same officials (county & state) as before. However, the state must submit to a federal database (similar to the ERIC system, but mandatory instead of voluntary). This database will cross-verify with citizenship, state-of-residence, and eligibility (ex-cons, ex-pats, et al) and will then the feds confirm with the state that the voter is a valid registration. This verification will create a valid voter roll from which the state will operate.
Individuals may remove themselves from voter registration to opt out of an election, and, by extension, electioneering! No more calls/texts from campaigns!
If an individual’s registration is rejected, he/she will be notified immediately by their state and can appeal the finding if error has occurred. No more instances of election day surprises of eligibility.
Registration Deadline
Create a 14-day registration deadline. A 14-day window is sufficient time to register ahead of election day. Same-day registration is a practice which does not give officials sufficient time to verify eligibility or confer with other states regarding eligibility or double-voting. The prohibition of same-day registration would only impact first-time voters’ registration approaching the deadline, whereas citizens who voted previously would already be considered registered. If a registered voter has moved states or addresses, they must update their information prior to the 14-day deadline.
Receiving Your Ballot
Ballots will only be given to individuals if a) they are on the verified voter roll, b) they present valid photo ID which matches the voter roll. No ID, no ballot. This is to secure the individual from someone else disenfranchising them.
Mail-In Ballots
Due to lack of verification, both of address and ID check, mail-in ballots will be prohibited. But fret not, individuals out of state or abroad can receive a provisional ballot at an official location of temporary residence, with ID verification. This ballot will remain sealed and segregated until verification that a vote was not cast in their home state. Upon verification, the home state will be notified of the provisional ballot results.
The physically infirm, unable to travel to a polling location, shall request an in-person vote no later than 30 days prior to an election. Municipalities temporarily employ poll workers for verifying and aiding voters already. The federal government hires census workers to go door-to-door. This is vote by appointment for those physically unable.
This clears up harvesting and chain of custody concerns.
Post-Election
A federal registry, like state registries and FEC contributions, will be lawfully and publicly available. Individuals have 102 weeks to the next federal election registration deadline to update their information for accuracy. The physical ballots are to be stored for 10 years (a policy many states already implement), and can be examined with proper counsel. A digital copy of all ballots will be made and kept indefinitely.