Democracy works Best when every American Voter can fully Participate in the Process of Electing their Leaders, no matter where they Live, the Color of their Skin, or how much Money they Make. We saw this Firsthand during the 2020 Elections, when despite the Risks of a Deadly Global Pandemic, Democrats and Republicans turned out in Record Breaking numbers, overcoming Obstacles that stood in their way to the Ballot Box.
Now that the Election called by many Bipartisan officials one of the "most secure elections in American history," is over, it is critically important for Congress to Ensure that the Attacks our democracy have Suffered on several fronts over the Past Decade are addressed.
Our Democracy needs Repair, and the For the People Act 2021, does just that.
It would address some of the most Serious Challenges to our Nation's Democratic Systems. These Reforms are drawn from Bills that have Bipartisan Political Support at Both the Federal and State Levels. They include:
- Implementing Automatic Voter Registration (AVR).
- Expanding Same-Day and Online Voter Registration.
- Creating Independent Redistricting Commissions to Eliminate Gerrymandering.
AVR has been Successfully Adopted and Implemented in more than a Dozen States, including the traditionally Red States of: Alaska; Georgia; and West Virginia, with Bipartisan Support. In Illinois, it Passed Unanimously across Party Lines and was Signed into Law by the State's former Republican Governor, Bruce Rauner, on August 2017.
The For the People Act 2021 would provide Vote-by-Mail Access to All Americans, Access that has been traditionally available in States like: Arizona; Kansas; and Idaho.
This Legislation allows Eligible Voters to Request a Mail Ballot without providing an Excuse and makes the Process more Secure, easier to Understand, and Effective. Twenty-Nine States, including: Florida; Georgia; and Nebraska, currently Permit No-Excuse Absentee and Mail Voting with appropriate Provisions to ensure Ballot Security.
Additionally, the Bill would Crackdown on the growing Influence of Secret Money in our Political Campaigns. Voters have a Right to know Who is trying to Influence their Vote, and Who is trying to Influence our Government.
Unsurprisingly, Politicians on Both sides of the Aisle and Special Interest Groups who want to Preserve a Broken Status Quo have continuously Criticized the Disclosure Reforms of, the For the People Act 2021, by calling it Highly Partisan, but their Criticisms are a Smoke Screen.
A Campaign Legal Center Poll found that over 80% of Voters across Partisan and Demographic Lines Support Public Disclosure of Donations to Organizations. For many years, Members of Congress from both Parties supported this Type of Heightened Disclosure.
In the 2020 Election, at least $750 Million was spent by "Dark Money" Entities that kept their Donors Hidden from the Public. Because those Goups do Not Publicly have to Report their Donors, Americans do Not know whether the Sources of those Funds are Domestic or Foreign, or what those Secret, Wealthy Donors might be getting in Return. And more of this Money has been spent in Support of Democrats than Republicans.
The For the People Act 2021 requires Disclosure when Wealthy Donors give $10,000 or more to Groups that spend Money on Elections. Similar Bills have been Introduced and Passed at the State Level with Bipartisan Support. For example, Montana's Dark Money Disclosure Bill was introduced in 2015 by a Republican State Senator and Passed with Bipartisan Majorities in each Chamber.
Further, the For the People Act 2021 would Strengthen the Enforcement Power of the Federal Election Commission (FEC). The Inability of the Agency to Enforce Campaign Finance Laws has led to the Explosion in Secret Spending, which tilts Political Power in Favor of Special Interests. To Restructure and Reform the FEc, the Legislation draws from the Bipartisan Restoring Integrity to American Elections Act. That Bill was introduced with Republican and Democratic Sponsors several times in the last few years
Historically, when our Nation has confronted Challenges to Any of our Democratic Systems, Republicans and Democrats have come Together to find Viable Solutions. At its Core, the For the People Act 2021 draws on a Set of well-grounded Legislation that has long enjoyed Bipartisan Support at Both the federal and state Levels.
In Defense of our most Fundamental Democratic Principles, All our Elected Officials must come together to Repair and Restore Integrity to the Electoral System of America.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
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