Protecting ballot is right side of history

On Jan. 20, Donald Barnum wrote that President Biden was disparaged for equating Republicans' new state laws restricting voters to the likes of George Wallace and Bull Connor, both of whom were Democrats.

As Mr. Barnum stated, he has a receipt from Texas' last poll tax which was in 1966, after which it was abolished. Mr. Barnum was right that those taxes were to prevent Blacks from voting along with poor whites and other minorities. The one thing he left out was when the laws where enacted it was by Democrats. Of the states that had poll taxes most were in the South, 13 to be exact. The one thing they all had in common was they all had Democratic governors.

I suggest people read what is in the John Lewis bill that uses his name to legitimize its provisions. The bill not only restricts people's rights but also takes away voting rights from the states and federalizes voting rights and elections. It also legitimizes illegal votes.

The laws Republicans have instituted in their states protect all people's rights and ensure the integrity of the election process. History will show that they are on the right side of Democracy and morality.

Richard Olhava

Arlington Heights