WASHINGTON — Did photo ID or other strict voter identification measures play a role in President-Elect Donald Trump’s landslide election victory?

Trump won the Electoral College by a considerable margin – 312 to 226 – over Vice President Kamala Harris. But is it possible that the victory, which many consider to be a landslide, could have been an even bigger landslide had more advertising and attention been given to certain states?

It was close to being a near sweep like former President Ronald Reagan’s 1984 avalanche election against another vice president with a Minnesota connection – Walter Mondale – who, like Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (Harris’s choice for vice president), also hailed from the state.

Keep in mind that Trump only lost New Hampshire and Minnesota by 3 and 4 points respectively while traditionally solid blue states like New Jersey, New Mexico, and Virginia were all only 6 point losses for Trump. He doubled his percentages in parts of New York City.

The following issues were not on the side of the Democrats: peace, prosperity, and secure borders. They went 0 for 3.

Trying to convince America that someone who gave us the aforementioned three items while president would destroy our democracy, gave hyperbole a bad name. This is true especially coming from folks who initially wanted us to believe that President Joe Biden – who was excused from prosecution over his mishandling of classified documents due to his declining mental acuity – was actually capable of leading America into the year 2028 when he would be 86 years old.

Abortion rights was the other key issue for Democrats, but it was not for most Americans. It was not the kind of issue it was during the 2022 midterm elections when the Democrats fared well on Election Day, despite forecasters who predicted a “red wave.”

Women had one issue and only one issue in mind then, due largely to Republican Senator Lindsey Graham’s bill to adopt a national ban on abortions. Thanks to former South Carolina Governor and U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, the Trump campaign quickly realized the abortion issue could sink any GOP candidate for office. Haley proved that while marching through the Republican primaries.

Trump shifted on abortion. He basically adopted the correct position, going as far as to say he would veto a national ban on abortions (hear that, Lindsey). It was a key move to avoid a repeat of 2022 for the Republicans. The abortion issue had to be neutralized for all GOP candidates seeking office.

And, for Harris, transgender male athletes playing women’s sports did not sit well with nearly 70% of America.

But the big question is this: Is it a coincidence that Harris only won states where there is no photo ID or strict voter identification requirements? She lost every single state that had a photo ID requirement or strict ID requirements. Can it make a difference? You bet it can!

Here is a little history: I did not start out in politics running for Congress or the Senate. I started by running for a position on the Republican Town Committee. This position is the lowest of all the “political positions” in my state. If your slate of nominees were challenged, you actually had an open election of all the Republicans in each district.

The unintended potential sinister use of “Get out the vote” can be implemented. It could take the “door to door” canvassing to a dark place. This is what I experienced. I sat in the basement with about 30 or so other Republicans in similar roles. The district chairman would painstakingly read off the names of each Republican on the voter rolls. The nefarious goal was to identify who no longer lives in the district but is still on the voter rolls which were rarely purged or even reviewed.

Why is that important? Well, if John Doe does not exist anymore, if he has moved or died, it does not mean that he cannot still vote. Party leaders would note those folks, send out volunteers to verify if John Doe no longer exists and bingo, you got a new vote. The party can replace John Doe with anyone they want. (Note both parties did it, so Democrats and Republicans only harvested their “own” votes. After all, you cannot have two John Does showing up on Election Day).

Unfortunately, this illegal “art” has been perfected in certain inner-city communities and has been an established practice for decades.

Those states and the folks who reside in those states, and you know who you are, should demand photo ID and/or strict voter identification rules in order to vote. Side note: Black Democratic leaders fought this practice for years claiming it was discriminatory (yeah, right).

Wonder why the inner-city vote was down in Atlanta, Detroit, Philadelphia, and Milwaukee? The result: Trump won Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. All those states now have photo ID or strict identification policies. Coincidence? I do not think so.

Also it must be noted that Hispanics and Black men are listening and watching. The door is ajar for Republicans to make further gains with these two groups. Currently, Democrats cannot win without overwhelming support from each group.

The game is up. Democrats truly do have to re-discover their methods, practices, target groups, and messages on the issues if they are going to return to the victor’s stage any time soon.

Republicans “merely” have to do a good job in office. They have to get the nation’s fiscal policies in order to prevent a financial collapse by addressing our debt and deficit. They must also listen to their constituents and all Americans, end the wars abroad, secure the border with Mexico, and put America first while delivering economic prosperity. Then they will be able to build on their majorities. And Trump’s accomplishments in his second term in office would truly be historic.

Then, America would be the true winner.

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Gary Franks served three terms as U.S. representative for Connecticut’s 5th District. He was the first Black Republican elected to the House in nearly 60 years and New England’s first Black member of the House. Host: podcast “We Speak Frankly.” Author: “With God, For God, and For Country.” @GaryFranks