June 20, 2026
Dear Friends,
After the close of the Constitutional Convention in 1787, a passerby in Philadelphia asked Benjamin Franklin what form of government the framers had decided upon for the people of the fledgling United States. “A republic,” Franklin replied, “if you can keep it.” In that time of great upheaval and anxiety, Franklin emphasized that the preservation of our new nation and its freedoms would rely heavily on the active, informed participation of the people. Today, as we face a new era of turmoil and uncertainty, Franklin’s adage is perhaps more apt than ever. As Donald Trump and his GOP allies work to undermine our electoral system, all of us must raise our voices, engage in the political process, and do our part to strengthen the democracy our framers envisioned.
Republicans know that voters are fed up with their actions that have slashed benefits, raised prices, and made our nation a laughingstock on the world stage. But instead of changing course and enacting policies that actually benefit their constituents, Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress are attempting to rig the system and make public opinion irrelevant. With that goal in mind, Trump and his enablers have repeatedly pushed for the passage of the so-called “SAVE America Act,” an unprecedented voter suppression bill that would make it more difficult for countless Americans to participate in the democratic process.
This legislation would require prospective voters to show a birth certificate or a passport before registering to vote — documents to which millions of Americans lack access. With these onerous requirements, anyone who has changed their name, including married women, would face additional hurdles to prove their identity. And perhaps most troublingly, the bill would require states to provide their voter rolls to Trump’s highly partisan Department of Homeland Security — opening myriad avenues for voter intimidation and manipulation.
The halls of Congress aren’t the only place where Republicans are attempting to subvert democracy. Trump’s Department of Justice has sought to intimidate election officials across the country as part of their endless relitigation of the 2020 presidential election, and has repeatedly attempted to gain access to state voter records in an effort to assert unconstitutional federal control over state elections.
Despite voting by mail himself earlier this year, the President has also launched a crusade against mail-in voting, attempting to curtail this extremely secure practice that makes it easier for millions of Americans to cast their ballots. And the Supreme Court eviscerated what was left of an already weakened Voting Rights Act in April, giving Republican-led states a green light to carry out the greatest rollback of minority voting rights since Jim Crow at Trump’s behest.
Many Americans are understandably worried about the potential implications of Trump’s anti-democratic crusade. Over the past several months, I’ve received hundreds of inquiries from constituents who are deeply concerned that these actions could undermine the basic integrity of our electoral process. That’s why this week, I brought together experts from the League of Women Voters of New York, the Campaign Legal Center, Voters of Tomorrow, and the New York State Election Commissioners Association to host an informational webinar to highlight practical ways that everyday Americans can help uphold secure, trustworthy elections.
During the event, our panelists and I answered a wide range of your questions on election security, ongoing litigation, and strategies to reinforce public trust in our electoral system. We discussed the work my colleagues and I are doing to check the Trump administration’s harmful actions and protect election integrity, and our panelists also highlighted valuable nonpartisan resources that help you make your voice heard. The overall message was one of action and hope. When we all stay informed, make our voices heard, and encourage others to do the same, there is nothing we cannot accomplish. If you weren’t able to join us live for the webinar, you can view a full recording of the event HERE.
Even when the obstacles seem too great to overcome, we can still achieve great things by working together towards a common goal. This past weekend, the New York Knicks faced just such an obstacle in the NBA Finals when they faced the San Antonio Spurs and their seemingly unbeatable 7-foot-4 inch superstar Victor Wembanyama. Many experts predicted the Spurs would win the series easily. But the Knicks refused to quit, overcoming double-digit deficits to outlast their opponents in five games. Just like Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby, and their teammates, we too must meet the great challenges we face by working as a team, maintaining our resolve, and keeping hope alive. Together, we can still build a brighter tomorrow for our nation and all who call it home.
As always, thank you for reading.
Your friend,
DID YOU KNOW?
My office and I are working to make sure you remain informed with the latest updates and recommendations from governments and agencies. With that in mind, here is some information that may be of interest to you:
- With important changes to federal student loan policies taking effect on July 1st, I know many of you have questions about what these changes will mean for you.
- That’s why this Tuesday, June 23rd at 6:30 PM, I’m hosting an informational webinar to help borrowers and families better understand their options, prepare for upcoming shifts, and access the resources they need to manage student loan debt with confidence.
- At the webinar, I’ll be joined by a representative from the Education Debt Consumer Assistance Program (EDCAP), who will provide information on:
- New borrowing rules
- Updates to repayment plan options
- The phaseout of the SAVE plan
- Changes to Parent PLUS loans.
- The webinar will be streamed LIVE on my YouTube channel at youtube.com/@reppaultonko, and a full recording will be available there following the conclusion of the event.
- To stream the event live on Tuesday, click HERE.
