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- Despite Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential victory, conservative activists are pushing for significant voting law changes.
- Cleta Mitchell and the Election Integrity Network are leading the effort with a detailed policy wishlist.
- The proposed changes include stricter voter ID laws, limits on early and mail-in voting, and enhanced voter roll purges.
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Essential Context
Even though many Republican voters trust the administration of the 2024 election, conservative activists are advocating for substantial reforms to voting systems. These efforts are driven by concerns over “election integrity,” despite the absence of widespread evidence of voter fraud.
Core Players
- Cleta Mitchell – Former Trump attorney, founder of the Election Integrity Network.
- Election Integrity Network (EIN) – A network aiming to create “permanent election integrity infrastructure” at the state level.
- American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) – An organization that brings together state legislators, private-sector corporations, and right-wing advocacy groups.
- Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) – Sponsor of the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act.
Key Numbers
- 36 states – Currently have laws requiring voters to show identification at the polls.
- 221-198 – Vote tally in the House for the SAVE Act.
- 2024 – Year when the Election Integrity Network mobilized far-right activists to advance restrictive voting policies.
- 2025 – Year targeted for implementing new voting laws by conservative activists.
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The Catalyst
Following Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 presidential election, conservative activists have not eased their efforts to overhaul voting laws. Cleta Mitchell, a former Trump attorney, is at the forefront of these efforts through the Election Integrity Network.
Mitchell presented a comprehensive policy wishlist at an ALEC meeting on December 4, 2024, which includes stricter voter ID requirements, limits on early and mail-in voting, and enhanced measures for purging voter rolls.
Inside Forces
The Election Integrity Network, backed by several billionaires and special interests, has been working to establish itself as a key player in state election administration. The network aims to promote strict voting legislation and has already made significant inroads in many states.
At the ALEC meeting, Mitchell emphasized the need to “restore voter confidence” through these changes, despite the lack of evidence supporting widespread voter fraud.
Power Dynamics
The push for these voting reforms is largely driven by conservative and right-wing groups. The Election Integrity Network has mobilized activists to enter the election administration system and advance restrictive policies. This includes blocking bipartisan efforts to protect election workers from harassment and pushing for stricter voter ID laws.
Cleta Mitchell’s group is also advocating for the elimination of “ballot curing,” which allows eligible voters to fix technical mistakes on their ballots.
Outside Impact
The proposed changes could have significant implications for voter access and election administration. The SAVE Act, another key piece of legislation, would require proof of citizenship for voter registration, potentially affecting many eligible voters who lack the required documentation.
County election officials would need additional training and resources to implement these changes, which could be challenging given the lack of federal funding allocated for this purpose.
Future Forces
As these efforts move forward, they are likely to face legal challenges from civil rights groups. Kathy Harms, a leader within the Election Integrity Network, has encouraged state lawmakers to be proactive despite the potential legal backlash.
“We cannot be risk averse and crying, ‘oh we might get sued,’” Harms said. “Because that’s going to move us to the status quo and stagnation.”
Data Points
- December 4, 2024 – Date of the ALEC meeting where Cleta Mitchell presented the policy wishlist.
- 2021 – Year the Election Integrity Network was founded by Cleta Mitchell.
- May 23, 2024 – House Administration Committee held a full committee markup of the SAVE Act.
- July 10, 2024 – The SAVE Act passed in the House with a vote of 221-198.
The ongoing push for voting reforms by conservative activists highlights the contentious nature of election integrity debates. As these efforts continue, they will likely shape the landscape of American elections and spark further legal and political battles.
