Even though the midterm elections aren’t until November, there’s already been plenty of talk about voter suppression, intimidation, and stolen elections. In a news culture when everything is sensational and nothing is without controversy, how do we know what is a real threat and what is just political hyperbole?

With tensions high, many of us are concerned about whether we can actually have fair elections. Lawmakers have proposed new laws with the intent of making elections more secure—but many of them miss the point, and might even make things worse. Others simply gin up false claims about illegal voting or ballot tampering that have no basis in reality, hoping to cast doubt on our election processes.

Below are a few of the issues that have been in the news lately.

SAVE Act and Documentary Proof of Citizenship (DPOC)

The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act is a federal bill currently being considered—sometimes also called Save Act 2.0 or the MEGA Act. This is one of numerous attempts to create stricter requirements for people to prove that they are citizens before they can register to vote.

While many people are concerned about fraudulent votes being cast, this is a problem that almost never happens. In Michigan, claims of voter fraud rely on misleading data or unfounded assumptions. The reality is that voter fraud almost never happens, and even when it does it has never impacted the results of elections.

Michigan already has rules and checks to ensure that only eligible citizens are allowed to register and vote. Additional restrictions like the SAVE Act wouldn’t change this, but they would add new burdens and requirements for eligible voters, making voting harder for everyone. It would also add restrictions on election workers that could interfere with their ability to do their job of ensuring access and security for our elections—even with criminal penalties.

Similar bills have been proposed in Michigan. Several groups have even started petitions to change the Michigan Constitution to add similar restrictions. But voting is already secure, and burdensome restrictions on eligible voters will not make voting more secure.

Intimidation Tactics

Whether it is threats of armed militia or vigilantes surrounding polling locations, or claims that votes won’t be counted, voter intimidation is real. Fortunately, Michigan has legal protections against voter intimidation.

Even though our Michigan laws protect the right to vote without intimidation, laws alone may not be enough to deter people intent on interfering with our free and fair elections. It is critical that we remain vigilant against interference, particularly from outside actors. The State of Michigan and other organizations will be keeping a watchful eye for problems and allow anyone to report voting issues.

“Federalizing” Elections

Some politicians have suggested that the federal government should take over elections from states. This is flat-out illegal.

The United States Constitution is clear that elections are to be run by the states:

The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Places of chusing Senators.

Constitution of the United States, Article I, Section 4.

Congress may pass laws to set regulations for elections (regulations like the Voting Rights Act), but the elections themselves are the purview of each state.

Why does it matter? Giving the power of elections to the states is another check on federal power. Our system of government understands that centralizing too much power in one place is dangerous, and for people to be best represented, government should operate close to the people while still maintaining a strong nation.

Upholding this separation and distribution of power and regulation is an excellent way to avoid abuses of power, deep state conspiracies, and authoritarian control.