Letters to the Editor | Sept. 7, 2026

The Inquirer’s Aug. 30 editorial and column by Solomon Jones do an excellent job of detailing the ways the U.S. Supreme Court is attempting to undermine our elections. The conservative justices have already gutted the Voting Rights Act, so it should be evident at this point that they know exactly what they are doing and whom they are trying to aid. The Constitution clearly gives control over elections to the states and to Congress, not to the president and the U.S. Postal Service. Yet, instead of definitively striking down as unconstitutional Donald Trump’s executive order that would prevent voters from receiving their mail ballots, the Supreme Court lifted a stay put in place by a lower court.

If the president can unilaterally change how we vote within months of an election, then our right to vote is not secure. Without that right, those in power have no reason to listen to the people — placing their other rights, their assets, and ultimately their freedom at risk. In the Jim Crow South, African Americans were deprived of their right to vote and thus could be persecuted. Now, this mentality is being extended to the entire country and to everyone who is not on board with the Republican agenda.

As someone who hasn’t missed an election in 38 years, I encourage everybody to do whatever is necessary to vote, as there are powers working feverishly to take that vote away.

Bill Fanshel, Bryn Mawr

The far-right president of the United States is actively interfering with our nation’s electoral process. He is illegally demanding that all states send him their voter rolls, lists containing personal sensitive data, so he can compile a list of “eligible” voters. And he instructs the U.S. Postal Service not to deliver mail ballots to voters living in states (run by Democrats) refusing to turn over voter rolls. Our Constitution specifically grants control of elections to the states, with congressional oversight. It does not grant such power to the president.

The U.S. Supreme Court did not rule on the constitutionality of Donald Trump’s executive order, but in essence said the plan can go forward while the court thinks about it. Meanwhile, in 10 weeks, we will have perhaps the most important election in our lives, with mail ballots being sent out soon. The aim of Trump and his party is to suppress as many Democratic-leaning voters as possible, and to cause massive confusion and chaos. The fight is not over, as voting rights lawyers will be in court doing everything possible to allow every eligible voter to cast their ballot.

Dave Posmontier, Elkins Park

None of my professional accomplishments prior to retiring can compare to how personally rewarding I find supporting free and fair elections. My experience includes processing mail ballot applications, helping with the verification of voting equipment and software, confirming returned ballots against state and department mailing records, and opening and counting mail ballots on Election Day. I passionately believe that the falsehoods and misinformation about fraud and noncitizens voting propagated by the president and other individuals are inherently false. I am proud to support my county’s elections staff, whom I’ve seen to be dedicated to their responsibility to support representative democracy, although they are often underappreciated by the voters they serve.

On July 16, the president and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security claimed there were nearly 16,000 noncitizens on the Nevada voting rolls. When DHS was pressed on this number by state officials, it could only find 185. Similarly, Pennsylvania was reported to have more than 14,000 noncitizens on the rolls. Why should we believe the narrative this administration puts forth? The U.S. Supreme Court recently had an opportunity to prevent an executive order from being implemented that would make mail voting cumbersome. Instead of addressing this issue in advance (as multiple lower courts had), the conservative majority decided their best course of action was to wait until after a disaster had occurred, reasoning that no state had been harmed yet by the order. Using this logic, I suppose the most proper course of action I should take upon seeing a small, unsupervised child crossing a busy street would be to take no action until a vehicle strikes the child. The court missed an opportunity to defend democracy.

William L. Hutt Jr., Brookhaven

The overall need for mental health care has surged significantly post-pandemic, yet according to a 2024 survey, about 34% of psychologists and 45% of psychiatrists do not accept health insurance. For a private-pay psychiatrist, evaluations typically cost $300 to $500, and standard sessions range from $100 to $300. Enter Lindsay Clancy, a married mother of three and a former labor and delivery nurse. Described by her coworkers as compassionate, kind, and an advocate for her patients.

Months following the birth of her third child, Clancy recognized a change in her mental health. She had the courage to share those terrifying thoughts with her husband and parents. She called a crisis hotline, went to an emergency room, voluntarily checked herself into a psychiatric hospital, and took the medications prescribed. Clancy, advocating for herself, did all of this because she did not want to harm herself or her children. She desperately wanted to get well and was unknowingly caught in a mental health care system strained by provider shortages and understaffed clinics. Compassion for Lindsay, not conviction.

Kathy Carroll, Wayne

I just realized in trying to explain to someone why Donald Trump acts as though the laws and the Constitution don’t apply to him. He thinks he was elected to be owner of USA Inc., instead of president of the United States. As an owner, his goals are to make as much money as he can for himself and his family. Making deals with heads of state that allow him to build hotels, resorts, golf courses, and other ventures to enrich himself is the goal. Preserving peace through alliances, developing fair trade, protecting our citizens’ welfare, following international laws and treaties, and upholding the Constitution is the job of the president. Will someone please read Trump his job description?

Susan R. MacBride, Philadelphia

On behalf of Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY28, I would like to extend our sincere thanks to Philadelphia for an extraordinary weekend of professional cycling. As a team director — and someone fortunate enough to have experienced this iconic race in years past — it was incredibly meaningful to return and see world-class women’s racing back on these historic roads. The caliber of competition, the challenging course, and the history behind this event make a Philly result something every rider is proud to put on her résumé.

An event of this magnitude does not happen without tremendous community support. We are grateful to the city’s law enforcement and public safety personnel for keeping the course and athletes safe, and to the organizers, staff, and volunteers whose countless hours produced such an exceptional event. We would also like to extend our sincere appreciation to AmeriGas for its support in making the return of this iconic race possible.

Most importantly, thank you to the people of Philadelphia. We recognize the inconvenience that comes with closed streets and greatly appreciate your patience — but even more, we thank you for coming out in droves to cheer. Philadelphia has always held a special place in American cycling. We were honored to be part of its history, thrilled to be part of its future, and we cannot wait to return in 2027.

Giana Chilcott, director, Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY28

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