The elected leaders of North Dakota are setting an excellent example for the rest of the nation by applying reason and common sense to protect basic freedoms guaranteed to every American citizen.
The legitimate right to vote
Attorney General Drew Wrigley released an opinion before Election Day stating North Dakota has no constitutionally permissible method for requiring proof of citizenship to vote. The upshot is current law does not permit an election official to require a voter to prove citizenship.
Our own state Sen. Judy Lee, R-West Fargo, is one of the North Dakota lawmakers taking action to correct this anomaly by sponsoring a bill that reads: "a qualified elector shall provide satisfactory proof of citizenship" before receiving a ballot to vote.” Simple options for proving citizenship are delineated including: an unexpired U.S. passport, a driver's license or non-driver's identification issued by the Department of Transportation, a legible copy of the voter's birth certificate that verifies citizenship or naturalization documents. It couldn’t be easier or more fair.
The rule of law regarding citizenship
The North Dakota House of Representatives has advanced legislation to prohibit local governments from establishing policies that hinder cooperation with immigration officials. The bill would prevent the state, cities, counties and institutions of higher education from adopting policies that would inhibit local authorities from reporting undocumented immigrants (illegal aliens) to federal officials, or grant undocumented immigrants (illegal aliens) the legal right to stay in a jurisdiction.
Legislators correctly state it is about upholding the rule of law and preventing localities from subverting it. The United States must defend its borders despite contrary efforts by hapless President Joe Biden who has intentionally turned control of our southern border over to criminal Mexican cartels.
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The right to privacy and dignity for women and girls
Rep. SuAnn Olson, R-Baldwin, is sponsoring a bill that would mandate designated, respective restrooms and showers for males and females, including in college and university living facilities and public schools. Legislation would require individuals to participate in athletics at colleges, universities and K-12 schools in North Dakota based on their birth gender. That assures girls and women of fair athletic competition against other biological females.
Young women should never have to fear losing their personal privacy and dignity by the random appearance of biological men in their locker and shower rooms. They should never have to compete against biological men in athletic events. Title IX must be defended.
North Dakota’s proposed legislation affirms the irrefutable fact that human beings are born as biological males or females. Science confirms those are the only options. No amount of mental gymnastics or irreversible body mutilation of young men and women can change that.
Officials in some states are bewildered by the simple act of identifying lawful voters. Some states have unlawfully allowed illegal aliens to freely live in sanctuary cities. Others have feigned befuddled ignorance when men claiming to be women enter female shower rooms. North Dakota can be proud of its leadership in protecting basic American freedoms!
Hulett is a regular contributor to the opinion page.
This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Forum's editorial board nor Forum ownership.
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