On March 10, Secure the VoteMD traveled to Washington, D.C. to advocate for the SAVE Act and to call on Senate Republican leadership to uphold the tradition of the talking filibuster. As part of our advocacy efforts, our team met with the offices of Senators John Thune, Mike Lee, John Fetterman, Lisa Murkowski, Thom Tillis, John Cornyn, and Susan Collins.
Throughout the day, we expressed our strong support for the SAVE Act and engaged directly with Senate offices on both sides of the issue. We thanked Senators Lee, Cornyn, and Collins for their support of the legislation and encouraged Senators Fetterman, Tillis, and Murkowski to consider backing the bill. These conversations were productive and allowed us to share the perspectives of Maryland citizens who care deeply about election integrity.
However, not all interactions were constructive. Our visit to Senator Thune's office was particularly disappointing. Members of our team were met with dismissive and, at times, disrespectful behavior from staff. One volunteer was told to "stand back" and "don't cross the line" while attempting to engage respectfully. This kind of treatment toward citizens-who took time away from work and personal responsibilities to advocate for an issue they care about-is unacceptable. We made it clear that we are not "paid influencers," as has been suggested in recent public discourse, but everyday Americans exercising our right to participate in the democratic process.
One of the most substantive and informative meetings took place in Senator Murkowski's office. Her communications director met with our group and explained what was described as the Senator's "unique" position. We were told that many Alaskans live off the grid and may not possess identification in the same way residents of other states do, presenting challenges for implementing the SAVE Act in Alaska.
While we appreciate the distinct circumstances faced by Alaska, Secure the VoteMD emphasized that one state's challenges should not prevent the passage of legislation that could benefit the other 49 states. We also proposed that Alaska could play a constructive role by helping to develop solutions and frameworks to address these challenges, ultimately strengthening the bill. Encouragingly, the communications director indicated that Senator Murkowski's office is actively working with Senator Lee to explore these kinds of solutions.
Secure the VoteMD remains committed to advocating for policies that promote election integrity, transparency, and accountability. Our visit to Washington reinforced the importance of citizen engagement and the need for elected officials to listen to and respect the voices of the people they serve.