On Thursday, April 9, Congressman Kevin Mullin held a town hall meeting at the College of San Mateo Theatre, inviting members of the community to ask questions about federal policymaking and current events. Mullin discussed a range of topics, from healthcare and housing to climate policy and the state of American democracy.
“I appreciate you all choosing to join this town hall because our democracy literally depends on all of us staying engaged,” Mullin said during the event. “We’ve all heard a lot in the news, but the most impactful stories are the ones I hear directly from my constituents.”
Mullin commented on the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, a federal bill that would require voters to show proof of citizenship in person before voting, effectively putting an end to most online and remote registration procedures. He said such a policy would not take effect, but called it an example of attempts to restrict voter access. He pointed to policies in other states, such as the removal of drop boxes and limits on early voting, as evidence of broader efforts to restrict access to the ballot.
“These voter suppression efforts are flawed and totally unnecessary. Nonpartisan researchers have repeatedly proven that noncitizen voter fraud is virtually nonexistent,” Mullin said. “This isn’t about election integrity. It’s about power and control and maintaining the majority.”
In the latter half of his remarks, he shifted his focus to younger attendees, offering them counsel while also emphasizing the pivotal role youth play in society and politics.
“Many of the major movements and the progress that’s been made in this country have been in many ways led by young people… You have the ability and the power to create the country that you want to create for yourself,” Mullin said. “There is a moment here for all of us, a call that we all have to answer to chart a better way forward for this country.”
Some community members reacted enthusiastically to Mullin’s remarks and said they were grateful to have the chance to express their views on political participation and public issues. Community resident Robert Detmer said that citizens should support policy advancements through concrete action.
“We need to continue to come to rallies, make our voices heard, and also tell him our issues so he can feel our support behind him and take that to Washington,” Detmer said.
Ryan Liu, a senior at Burlingame who interns for Mullin, noted that events like the town hall give the public a chance to interact face-to-face with elected officials.
“It’s a way for him to reach the public… it’s a way for people to see him face to face and kind of get the experience and ask questions firsthand,” Liu said. “And I think it’s really important that kids are here, because we are going to be the next generation.”
