The federalist

Virginia Democrats are pushing a bill that aims to label election oversight as a ‘hate crime


Annoy an election official, face a hate crime investigation?

Imagine a scenario where expressing your dissatisfaction with‍ an election official could lead to being labeled a “domestic terrorist.” In ⁢today’s ⁤political climate, where the government colludes with social media platforms to suppress speech and targets conservatives, this possibility is not⁣ far-fetched. Election volunteers are now taking the threat of retaliation seriously.

A new bill, Senate Bill⁢ 364, is causing concern among election officials in Virginia. The ​bill aims ‍to create a protected class for election officials and categorize offenses against them as “hate crimes.” If convicted, offenders would be added to ​the Virginia ‌State Police “hate crime” database. Additionally, the ‌bill includes provisions⁣ that would protect ⁤social media companies from ‌First Amendment challenges if they collaborate with the government⁤ to restrict speech. This comes at a time when⁣ the Supreme Court is already considering cases involving Big Tech’s suppression of speech.

Despite the potential consequences of ‍this‌ bill, its sponsor, Sen. Adam⁤ Ebbin, ‌has not responded to inquiries.

A ‘Threat Narrative’ Cottage ⁢Industry

SB 364⁤ is part‍ of⁤ a larger ⁢narrative⁤ pushed ‌by ‌Democrats that⁢ portrays⁢ conservatives as⁣ a threat to democracy and ⁢election workers. This narrative gained momentum after⁢ the events at the⁤ Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, and ⁤has⁣ been‍ perpetuated through partisan show trials. However, the evidence supporting this narrative is questionable⁢ at best. The Brennan ‍Center, a progressive think ⁣tank funded by George Soros, is‌ often⁢ cited as a source, but its ​surveys have a high margin of ​error and rely on distorted⁢ data.

Spinning the Narrative

Despite concerns about election integrity and trust in the electoral process, the‌ “threat” narrative persists. Claims ‍that ‌election officials ⁣have faced violent threats are ⁤not supported by causation, and ‍surveys have shown that ‍the majority of election workers do not feel ⁤pressured to leave their jobs. Yet, this narrative continues to ‍be ​used as a pretext to block transparency in the election⁢ process.

Poll Watchers Have Reason to⁤ Fear‌ Retaliation from Election Workers

If SB 364 becomes law,⁤ it ⁤could be used to target poll ‍watchers and concerned citizens who raise issues about⁤ the conduct of elections⁤ in Virginia. Recent cases, such⁤ as the ⁣one ‌involving election ‍lawyer Janet Angus in Wisconsin, demonstrate the potential for‌ retaliation against those⁢ who question election⁣ practices. ⁤This ‍expansion of protected classes for hate crimes ​is unprecedented and raises⁤ serious concerns.

J. Christian Adams, a former Justice Department prosecutor, ​warns⁣ that any Virginia official who disregards ‌election law should expect legal action from organizations like the Public Interest Legal Foundation. The fate‍ of⁣ SB⁢ 364 now rests⁣ in the hands of Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin.


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In ​what ways do critics see the bill as a way to silence⁢ dissent and stifle free expression?

Cy and the stability of the government. This ⁣narrative has been used to justify various‍ measures that suppress speech‌ and limit the rights of those with conservative​ viewpoints. The bill’s supporters argue that it is necessary to protect election officials from harassment and intimidation, but critics see it as‍ a way to silence dissent and stifle free expression.

The idea‌ that expressing dissatisfaction with an election official could be equated with a ‍hate crime is concerning, to say the least. Hate crimes are typically defined as offenses motivated by prejudice or bias towards a certain race, religion, or other protected class. To label expressing frustration or ‌disappointment with an election official as a hate crime would be a dangerous expansion of⁣ the concept and a threat to free speech.

Furthermore, the provisions in⁢ the bill ​that ‍protect social media companies from First Amendment ‌challenges raise concerns about censorship and government control over online platforms. Many conservatives have⁢ already experienced the suppression ⁢of their ‌voices on social media, ‌with platforms​ like Twitter and Facebook actively ‍censoring or fact-checking conservative viewpoints. By giving these companies immunity ​from ⁣legal challenges, the government would effectively be granting them even more power to control the flow of⁣ information and manipulate public discourse.

The‍ timing of this bill is especially​ problematic as the Supreme Court ⁢is already considering cases related to Big Tech censorship. The outcome of‍ these​ cases could have far-reaching implications ‍for free⁢ speech⁢ and the ability of individuals to express their opinions online. ‌It is crucial that any legislation⁢ regarding ⁤speech and online platforms ​takes ‍into account the importance of protecting the First Amendment rights of all individuals, regardless of their political​ beliefs.

In a time ‍when open and honest dialogue is needed more than ever,⁣ it is crucial that we‌ protect the ​right‌ for individuals to express their opinions, ‌even ⁢if they are critical‌ of those in power. Suppressing speech ⁣and labeling dissent as hate crimes only serves to further divide our society and undermine the principles of free⁣ expression and democracy. Instead of targeting‌ and silencing ⁤those who disagree, we should⁤ encourage respectful and⁣ informed debate that allows for the exchange of ideas and the​ discovery of common ground.

The threat of⁢ being labeled ‌a “domestic terrorist” ⁢for expressing dissatisfaction with an election official is a chilling prospect. It is a stark reminder of the erosion of free speech rights and the dangerous path we may be ⁢heading down ‍if we ⁤continue to allow government overreach and the suppression of dissenting voices. We must remain⁣ vigilant in defending our rights and ensuring that legislation does not infringe upon ⁣our ‌constitutional⁢ freedoms.



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