League Calls on Senate to Hold For the People Act Hearing

The League sent a memo to the U.S. Senate calling for a hearing on the For the People Act.  

April 18, 2019 
 
To:    Members of the U.S. Senate  
 
From:    Chris Carson, President 
 
Re:    Hold a Hearing on the For the People Act, S. 949 
 
The League of Women Voters is proud to support S. 949, the For the People Act. The many elements of this legislation align with the League’s long-held positions and advocacy aimed towards ensuring that our elections are free, fair, and accessible to all eligible Americans. We call on all Senators to work across the aisle in supporting a hearing on this important piece of legislation. 

This comprehensive democracy reform package is vital to the future of our democracy. The American people deserve to hear from their Senators about this bill. Holding a hearing will only increase the dialogue around these important policy provisions. The American people, as well as Senators, should know where their colleagues stand on the modernization and security of our election systems.

This legislation is important to the American people. It will give states more power and resources to modernize and secure their election systems. Holding a hearing on the For the People Act will help the American people understand why the provisions contained in this bill will help to ensure that every eligible citizen is able to register and vote. We must break down the barriers that prevent Americans from registering to vote and work with states to allow same-day registration, establish an opt-out system of automatic registration, and include the establishment of an online voter registration for all eligible voters. This can be done while still preserving the importance of securing our elections.

Americans also deserve to know who is trying to influence their votes. It’s time to close disclosure loopholes that allow outside groups to flood elections with millions of dollars in secret money. It is also time to end coordination between candidates and Super PACS, while working to empower small donors through the creation of a public financing system that matches small contributions to any candidates wanting this support.

Finally, we must neutrally apply politics in the redistricting process. Through the establishment of independent, citizen redistricting commissions at the state level to draw congressional districts we can put power back into the hands of the people, not politicians. 

This legislation will accomplish all three of these goals and more. Throughout our nearly 100-year history, the League of Women Voters has worked to “level the playing field” of our election system by registering new citizens to vote, overcoming unfair district schemes and advocating in Congress for fair election processes. We remain steadfast in those goals by urging you to support our call for a hearing on S. 949, the For the People. Act.