Article by Robbie Soltz
Not so long ago, “State’s Rights” were the “hue and cry” of Republicans from one end of this country to the other. Where are they now, with questionably trained and federal ICE agents that plan and carry out massive operations in “blue” states? Where is the “Party of Lincoln” when our President calls for “federalizing” elections?
State authority to manage and process elections is specified in the Constitution. Specifically, Article 1, Section 4 of the Constitution that clarifies that States have the primary authority over election administration and the “times, places and manner of holding elections.” It is widely agreed that this division of sovereignty protects one of our most precious freedoms, the right to vote. Overstepping this “Election Clause” would be unconstitutional.
In the address where President Trump implied that he favored federalizing elections, he also proclaimed that “States are agents of the federal government,” which places democracy squarely on its head. In a democracy, the citizens elect and hold each level of government to account through voting, not vice versa.
During the last year, with so many of our rights being chipped away, I wondered whether or when I would notice that our somewhat flawed but beautiful and fixable democracy would be replaced by a Dictatorship. I believe that time is now. It’s not too late to resist this, but we are working in a very diQerent environment where politicians may keep their jobs forever, freedom of speech may be limited to agreeing with those in power, and justice will be parsed out to favor those few who either have or will contribute generously to the current administration.
All is not lost. You can inform yourself about initiatives, legislation and the politicians themselves by reading local news or having a good look at the Kittitas County League of Women Voters Website, keeping in mind that local news is democracy. And then you can vote!
Co-published by Ellensburg Daily Record on March 7, 2026. Robbie Soltz is a retired University Instructor and a former State and National Executive Employee. She is currently President of the Kittitas County League of Women Voters and a Member of the Kittitas County Water Conservation Board. She relishes Water Resource Management, STEM education her grandchildren, horses, cats and beloved husband Dave, as well as living in Northeastern Kittitas County, Washington.