Attorney General Todd Rokita is co-leading a coalition of 16 states to challenge what they perceive as federal overreach in election laws. This comes after U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland announced plans to deploy additional legal resources to address state measures that allegedly restrict voter access.
"The Biden administration is weaponizing the U.S. Department of Justice against the states," said Attorney General Rokita. "These actions pose a direct threat to democracy, election integrity and the rule of law. We will stand up and defend our rightful authority within the framework of American federalism."
In March, Garland revealed an increase in lawyers within the civil rights division and launched the Justice Department's Election Threats Task Force. These efforts aim to tackle state-imposed restrictions perceived as discriminatory or burdensome.
Rokita, alongside West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, spearheaded a letter from 16 states directed at Garland. The letter warned that these states would "vigorously defend our election laws" and resist any form of intimidation that undermines public will.
The letter challenges Garland's assertion that states are obstructing voter access, labeling such claims as false. It defends voter ID laws, arguing they prevent fraud by verifying voter identity at polling stations.
"On the contrary," the letter argues, "voter ID laws prevent voter fraud by stopping those who attempt to impersonate others at the polls." It cites Indiana's pioneering role in implementing a voter ID law upheld by the United States Supreme Court as constitutional.
Amidst allegations of fraud in different parts of the country, skepticism about the 2020 general election results persists among some Americans. Surveys suggest over 30 percent believe there was electoral misconduct.
"With voter confidence at an all-time low," stated Attorney General Rokita, "the U.S. Department of Justice should champion voter security measures instead of attacking states that implement them."
A complete copy of the letter is available for review online along with a downloadable headshot of Attorney General Rokita.