From Chairman Truono's Desk: McBride, Coons, & Blunt Rochester: Against Protecting YOUR Vote!
- Sussex County Republican Committee
- 2 hours ago
- 4 min read
February 16, 2026
Gene Truono, Chairman of the Delaware Republican Party
Dear Fellow Delaware Republicans and Conservatives,
As we gather our strength for the critical 2026 Midterm Elections, it is essential that we stand united in defense of the most fundamental principle of our democracy: that American elections must be decided by American citizens alone. In Delaware, where one-party Democratic rule has dominated for far too long, securing our elections is not just a policy priority—it's a matter of restoring fairness, accountability, and trust in our system.
This week, I want to highlight a commonsense reform that enjoys overwhelming support across the nation and directly addresses concerns many of you have raised about election integrity.
Americans Overwhelmingly Support Proof of Citizenship for Voter RegistrationRequiring proof of citizenship when registering to vote is a straightforward safeguard to ensure only eligible citizens participate.
A 2024 Gallup Poll found that 83% of Americans support requiring proof of citizenship when registering to vote for the first time. This strong consensus crosses party lines, demographics, and regions. Even 70% of Democrats support election integrity efforts.
Many countries around the world already implement robust protections:
Nations like India and Brazil link voter identification to biometric databases, preventing non-citizen participation far more effectively than our current system, which often relies on simple self-attestation.
Even though federal law prohibits non-citizens from voting in U.S. federal elections, enforcement remains weak in many states. Former Federal Election Commission member Hans von Spakovsky has noted:
“In almost all states, election officials are simply relying on individuals who are registering to vote telling the truth when they assert they are U.S. citizens. There’s plenty of evidence that this isn’t working and that aliens are getting registered and voting, often without detection by election officials.”
Yet Delaware's three Democrat representatives – Rep. Sarah McBride, Sen. Chris Coons, and Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester – all stand firmly against this popular safeguard. McBride voted NO on the SAVE Act in the House, and Coons and Blunt Rochester are expected to block it in the Senate based on their consistent opposition to stronger voter verification and citizenship proof requirements.
In our small state, where margins can be razor-thin, this refusal to secure our elections is unacceptable.
The SAVE America Act: A Commonsense Solution
Building on last year's efforts, the SAVE America Act (an updated version of the SAVE Act) would:
Require documentary proof of citizenship (such as a passport or birth certificate) when registering to vote in federal elections
Strengthen states' ability to remove non-citizens from voter rolls
Ensure elections are decided by American citizens only
The House recently passed this vital legislation (in a close 218-213 vote), yet extreme opposition persists.
Democrats have claimed—falsely—that the bill would burden married women who change their names. In reality, the legislation explicitly requires states to accommodate name changes, as debunked by House Democrat Jared Golden.
President Trump has been clear: “The only reason somebody doesn't want that is because they want to cheat.”
Democrats' Opposition Defies the Will of the People
Despite this broad public support—including majorities across every demographic—Democrats continue to block these protections, labeling them as "voter suppression" or worse:
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called it "Jim Crow 2.0."
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries branded it "voter suppression."
Other Democrats have used terms like "totalitarian," "authoritarian," and claim it would "disenfranchise millions."
Why oppose a measure that 83% of Americans favor? Policies like Minnesota Governor Tim Walz's 2023 "Driver's Licenses for All" law—allowing licenses regardless of immigration status, without markings for citizenship—only heighten concerns, as these documents are often used in voter registration.
By resisting these reforms, Democrats risk making it easier for fraud to occur—undermining the voices of legal Delaware voters.
President Trump and the RNC Are Leading the Fight
President Trump continues to champion secure elections:
In March 2025, he signed an Executive Order on Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections, directing enforcement of voter ID and citizenship verification.
The RNC is actively working:
Launching massive public records requests to states (including efforts in numerous jurisdictions) to examine voter roll maintenance
Securing legal victories, such as stopping non-citizen voting attempts in cities like New York
RNC Chairman Gruters stated: “As Democrats push to make it easier to cheat, Republicans are fighting for clean voter rolls and secure elections nationwide.”
Call to Action for Delaware Conservatives
Delaware's small size is our advantage—we can build a powerful grassroots coalition that defies expectations and wins seats in 2026. But it starts with demanding secure elections that reflect the will of citizen voters.
I urge every one of you to:
Contact your federal representatives and senators—demand they support the SAVE America Act
Volunteer with our party to register voters, educate on election integrity, and turn out the vote
Stay informed and active—our coalition is growing, and together we can end one-party rule
The 2026 midterms are our moment. Let's prove that Delaware Republicans stand for fair, secure, and honest elections.
Together, we will Make Delaware Great Again!
In service to our state and our shared values,
Gene Truono,
Chairman of the Delaware Republican Party
