Former MLB Star Mark Teixeira Enters Voter Law Debate With Strong Claims Ahead of His Congressional Run
Former Yankees great Mark Teixeira is now a politician. He made headlines for his comments on U.S. election security and voter registration. The former MLB star called for tougher voting laws and suggested Democrats cheat in elections. The comments triggered an internet debate.
Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville, who supports the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE Act), influenced Teixeira. The law would compel federal election voters to provide proof of U.S. citizenship. Senator Tuberville says the voting system needs more safeguards as primaries and midterms approach.
Social media statements by Teixeira supported the senator’s claims. He said many people care about voting security and that Democrats are “cheating in elections.” Teixeira didn’t prove this. His claim was first questioned, especially since audits and investigations across the US have shown that non-citizens rarely vote in federal elections.
Data from election assessments over the past few decades demonstrates that non-citizen voting accounts for a modest percentage of ballots cast. Even proponents of stronger voter laws recognize that these events are rare compared to U.S. election turnout.
Teixeira actively supports the SAVE Act, which would modify voter registration. It’s illegal for non-citizens to vote in federal elections. Proponents say needing citizenship verification while registering will prevent fraud and foreign involvement. Opponents say it might make it hard for qualified voters to register.
The statements by Teixeira are significant in his career. Late August saw him announce his bid for Texas’s 21st Congressional District. Representative Chip Roy is running for state attorney general, hence this seat is open. Maryland-born Teixeira lives in Austin. He has deep ties to Texas because he played professional baseball for the Rangers as a kid.
Teixeira excelled in baseball before entering politics. He played 14 years in MLB. He spent his last eight seasons with the Yankees and was an All-Star three times. His 2009 World Series win was with them. Before retiring in 2016, he hit almost 400 home runs. One of the best switch hitters of his time.
Teixeira’s public statements are now more scrutinized since he switched from sports to politics. His role in the voter law problem shows how controversial election policy is in American politics, especially when new candidates run in critical national and state elections.
Sources
- United States Senate
- U.S. Election Assistance Commission
- Official Congressional Records
- Major League Baseball Records and Archives
