House Speaker Mike Johnson has proposed a short-term spending bill to avert a government shutdown, linking it to a controversial voter verification bill. The plan aims to require proof of citizenship for voter registration and has drawn both support and opposition from lawmakers. While Republicans believe it addresses concerns about non-citizen voting, Democrats argue it’s unnecessary and could disenfranchise eligible voters.
On Wednesday, the Supreme Court is expected to announce directions on a series of petitions demanding thorough cross-validation of votes cast using Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs). VVPAT is a standalone vote verification system that allows voters to verify that their votes have been recorded correctly. The court’s directions will be delivered by a bench comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta. During the hearings, the court emphasized the significance of voter satisfaction and trust in the electoral process, urging petitioners not to doubt the effectiveness of EVMs and to recognize the efforts of the Election Commission.
The Supreme Court is set to announce its verdict on a batch of petitions requesting that Voter-Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips be verified with votes cast electronically through Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) during elections. The case highlights concerns regarding the integrity of EVMs and the need for transparency in the electoral process.
