Watching the Armed Services Committee’s hearing concerning the effect of Russian hacking on the recent presidential election, I took issue with Sen. John McCain’s assertion, “There is no national security interest more vital to the United States of America than the ability to hold free and fair elections without foreign interference.” 

I agree that holding free and fair elections is a foundation of our government. But foreign interference doesn’t hold a candle to Supreme Court interference; witness the court’s decision on Shelby v. Holder, which The New York Times wrote, “…effectively struck down the heart of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.” 

For nearly 50 years, the VRA determined which states, because of their persistent use of discriminatory voting laws, were required to receive clearance from Washington before they made changes to voting procedures. This the court ruled unconstitutional. 

States were set free to pass laws that removed provisions for expanding the vote, such as online voting, same-day registration, etc. The ruling also resulted in some states tightening voter ID laws and increased expunging of voters from registration rolls. 

Putin can hack all he wants; he’s no match for Chief Justice Roberts.

Charles Harding

Stonington