California Democrat Rep. Eric Swalwell is making waves as he announces his candidacy for governor. During his appearance on what has been dubbed the Democrat Variety Hour, Swalwell shared his vision for increasing voter access by proposing phone voting. This idea raises eyebrows, given the complications and delays associated with California’s current election processes.
Swalwell’s comments come as he expresses frustration with the long waits voters face at polling places. He stated, “I want us to be able to vote by phone. If we can do our taxes, make our health care appointments, and do our banking online, you should be able to vote by phone.” While this proposal appears to be about making voting more convenient, it glosses over the significant issues already plaguing California’s election system.
The congressman’s mention of California’s slow election results is telling. Last fall’s elections saw delays in final counts stretching over months, leaving voters to wonder when their voices would truly be heard. Rather than address these pressing issues, Swalwell leans into a futuristic vision of voting that could introduce a host of new problems.
Swalwell is not stopping at just phone voting. He also suggested imposing fines on counties for extended wait times at polling places. He said, “I think we have to be better, not just a little bit better than the other states.” This call for accountability feels more like a deflection from his party’s failures than a genuine effort to improve the electoral process.
Additionally, Swalwell’s remarks hint at a broader agenda to modernize state services, including the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). He proposed that DMV services could also shift to virtual platforms. However, these proposals may come off as tone-deaf when Californians are already grappling with the inefficiencies of current systems.
Critics of the phone voting proposal quickly highlight the potential for abuse. Suggestions of Democrats exploiting such a system for electoral gain raise serious questions about the security and integrity of voting. As one critic noted sarcastically, “Just imagine how many votes Joe Biden could have gotten in 2020 if Americans could vote by phone.”
Swalwell’s push for phone voting raises relevant concerns about the feasibility and security of such a system. California residents deserve more than platitudes about maximizing democracy. They deserve solutions that address the state’s election challenges head-on without compromising the integrity of the process.
As Swalwell seeks to inspire Californians with his modernized vision for voting, fundamental questions remain: Will these ideas lead to fairer elections, or will they further obfuscate a system that is already struggling with transparency and reliability? Time will tell.
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