HELP FLIP WI'S SUPREME COURT HELP FLIP WI'S SUPREME COURT

HR1 or We’re Fucked

American democracy is in crisis. And we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to save it.

How We Win

H.R.1 passed the House with unanimous Democratic support. It’s a broadly popular bill, but Republicans have decided that anything that makes it easier for all people to vote is a nonstarter for them.

What's in it?

This democracy reform package would make politics more fair and accessible by making it a lot easier for a lot more people to vote, it would make it harder for Republicans to rig politics in their favor by ending partisan gerrymandering, and it would reduce the power of special interests and increase the power of the people through campaign finance and lobbying reforms. It would also make sure we don’t see the massive corruption of the Trump administration again with some major ethics reforms.

How the For the People Act Fixes Voting

  • How do I make sure I'm registered?

    The For the People Act would require automatic voter registration for eligible voters. It would also require each state to modernize its systems so you can register or update your registration fully online. It also has provisions in place to limit voter roll purges, so you don’t have to worry about being removed from the rolls for any reason.

  • Can I register the same day I want to vote?

    The For the People Act would require all states to allow same day registration, whether you show up on Election Day or during early voting.

  • Can I vote by mail?

    The For the People Act would require universal (that means no excuse needed) vote by mail, with pre-paid postage and the ability to track your ballot so you can make sure it gets there safely and your vote is counted.

  • Can I vote early in person?

    The For the People Act would require that every state offers at least 15 consecutive days of early voting, accessible to all voters, and open at least 10 hours a day.

  • Do I need an ID to vote in person?

    The For the People Act would relax voter ID requirements by allowing voters to sign sworn affidavits in lieu of presenting photo ID.

  • What if I request a vote by mail ballot but I decide I want to vote in person instead?

    The For the People Act would require that all provisional ballots be counted if you need to cast one.

Ending partisan gerrymandering

After the 2010 census, Republicans had full control over the drawing of 213 congressional districts and used it to impose one-sided gerrymanders in states including Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Florida, Georgia, and Texas. Partisan gerrymanders can come in the form of “packing” one party’s voters into a single district, or “cracking” them across a bunch of districts to dilute their representation. The For the People Act would prevent politicians from picking their voters by requiring states to use independent redistricting commissions, with requirements to enhance protections for minorities.

Protecting Our
Elections

After the 2016 election revealed that foreign adversaries were able to breach state voter registration systems and election night results reporting websites, our election infrastructure came under new scrutiny. Despite clear threats, six states continue to use voting machines that have no paper backup, something security experts say is a bare minimum defense. The For the People Act would support paper-based voting systems and allocate $1 billion in election funds to enhance federal support for voting system security, increasing oversight of election system vendors and require the development of a national strategy to protect U.S. democratic institutions.

CAMPAIGN FINANCE
REFORM

In 2010, the Supreme Court ruling in Citizens United v. FEC blew the doors open for a small class of wealthy donors to overpower the voices of the average voter in our campaigns. The For the People Act proposes reforms to attempt to counteract this trend, including public financing of elections through small dollar matching, limiting dark money, and making sure the Federal Elections Commission (FEC) that oversees and enforces our existing campaign finance laws can function again.

ETHICS REFORM

The For the People Act would establish stronger ethics rules for all three branches of government, including requiring the president, vice president, and candidates for those offices to disclose their tax returns, strengthening safeguards against congressional conflicts of interests, and requiring a code of ethics for United States Supreme Court justices.

Resources

Learn more about democracy reform and how you can get involved.