Anyone concerned about the direction the country is taking needs to prepare for the midterm elections. The Trump administration’s manifesto, Project 2025, seeks to station guards at voting sites to create fear and decrease voter participation. The Heritage Foundation document attempts to preclude the obvious arguments against this proposal by claiming it could strengthen faith in the election system. Clearly, voter intimidation, especially among minorities, is the goal.

The manifesto also seeks to implement proof of voter citizenship, which was touched on in Maine’s Question 1 last November. That referendum, which also attempted to restrict absentee voting, and another aimed at eliminating ranked choice voting, was defeated by 60% of the votes cast. When proponents of such measures argue that they seek to restore election integrity, remember that 60% of the voters in November had faith in the system.

In addition, the Heritage Foundation pushes against misinformation regulations, claiming that such measures could hamper political debate. If our position requires the use of falsehoods, we’re standing on thin ice.

Project 2025 also advocates using the military for law enforcement in emergencies during civil unrest. This administration has already made a habit of declaring emergencies under questionable circumstances.

With the U.S. Postal Service announcing potential delays in postmarking absentee ballots, be sure to get them in the system early, or better yet, drop them off at the local voting site.

Don’t let Donald Trump use fear and intimidation to destroy civil rights. Let’s make our votes count.

Tim McCloskey
Minot