Protect the vote

It's a rather tepid statement. He's not advocating any particular action, but at least Holder broached the subject of voting integrity:

Attorney General Eric Holder said during a speech on Tuesday night at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library that it’s time to consider setting national standards for how elections should be handled. [...]

“This means taking steps to address long lines at polling places — and ensuring that every polling place has an adequate number of voting machines,” Holder said. “We must acknowledge that giving our fellow citizens access to the voting booth for longer hours and over additional days will enable more of them to cast their ballots without unduly interfering with the work or family obligations that so many have.”

Holder also said that the “ordinary citizens who, just last month, endured long lines, biting temperatures, and blazing sun to make certain that their votes would be counted” were continuing the legacy of Americans who have fought for the right to vote.

He's got that last part especially right. All those hundreds of thousands of people who stood their ground are my heroes of 2012. Our voting system is a mess. We're long overdue for a national standard and according to a recent study, nearly 90 percent of voters agree.