To the Editor:
Re “Demand an Election We Can Trust” (Op-Ed, Sept. 18):
The proposal by Dan Coats, a former director of national intelligence, for a commission to oversee the election is well founded in theory, but has no realistic possibility of being adopted. Legislation to create such a commission would be throttled in its crib without hesitation by the Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell.
Nevertheless, there are ample grounds to act without the benefit of congressional sponsorship. Mr. Coats should undertake to form a Bipartisan Committee to Ensure a Fair Election. Surely someone with his experience and reputation could recruit other individuals of stature from both parties for such an important undertaking.
While the committee would lack the authority of an official commission, it could still be a powerful force, shining light on the electoral process, guarding its integrity and helping to ensure that every vote is counted.
Douglas M. Parker
Ojai, Calif.
The writer is a lawyer who served in the Nixon and Ford administrations.
To the Editor:
I heartily endorse Dan Coats’s recommendation to assemble a bipartisan commission to ensure the legitimacy of the election. However, the most powerful support of our democracy must come from our ex-presidents. If they could issue a joint statement and oversee this commission, it would send the strongest message to all Americans and the rest of the world that this tremendous democratic experiment is far from over.
Bob Zimmermann
Davis, Calif.
To the Editor:
While I agree with Dan Coats’s call for a bipartisan election monitoring committee, I also find it shockingly naïve. Today’s Republican Party has contracted a far more virulent disease than Covid-19: the sickness of winning at all costs.
Arguably it began with stealing President Barack Obama’s Supreme Court pick, and continued with accepting Russian aid in the 2016 election. Since then Republicans have repeatedly committed voter suppression, forcing Wisconsin primaries to be held in person during the pandemic and requiring Florida felons to pay what amounts to a poll tax to regain their vote, among other actions. They have no interest in a free and fair election because they cannot win one.
If the Republicans continue their illegal, immoral and undemocratic behavior in the name of retaining power, they must lose that power decisively in November. Regardless of your party or your beliefs, put your country first and vote them out.
D. Switkin
Sunnyvale, Calif.
Source: Elections - nytimes.com
