My friends took well over a year to get to become citizens, to earn the right to vote. I was so proud when they took their oaths. It takes an average of 15 months to become a naturalized citizen of the United States of America. Because of the legal paper work, passing the citizenship test before pledging the oath to our country to take part in our election process. Today undocumented immigrants are being given the ability to cast ballots compromising the credibility of our elections and weakening the voices of those who have legally become U.S. citizens. In states like New York, some radical minds work to allow noncitizens to vote. I find that allowing illegal immigrants to vote goes against any principles of our democracy, our nation. My friends, and perhaps some of yours, have earned the right to vote and so should others.

This problem is exacerbated by the continuous crisis at our borders, north and south, resulting in a sharp increase of illegal immigrants, some proven to be gang members and convicts. This crisis makes it more difficult for us to protect the rights and benefits of citizenship. For this reason, and many more, I support our Congresswoman Elise Stefanik. Elise has consistently and constantly fought to follow the law and to secure borders. Her actions are not to say she will try, she actually does it! Chairwoman Stefanik supports the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, to remove noncitizens from voter rolls and require proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections. Hopefully this will trickle down, with her help to local elections as well.

I wholeheartedly support and urge you as well to return Elise Stefanik to Congress on Nov. 5 insuring the integrity of the American voting system.

Respectfully,

Win Belanger

Acting chair

Essex County Republican Committee