hanimmal
Well-Known Member
It looks like Nancy is trying to not only bail Trump's economy out once again, but is also keeping an eye on protecting our democracy.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/03/23/democrats-throw-down-gauntlet-vote-by-mail/
Here’s a good piece of news amid the parade of horrors: House Democrats are set to introduce their own version of the stimulus, and importantly, it includes a set of provisions that would potentially prevent coronavirus from scuttling this fall’s elections.
The provisions in question would make it possible for every eligible voter in the country to cast a vote by mail. This would spare them the excruciating choice between practicing social distancing — thus protecting themselves and the rest of us from the spread of the disease — and exercising their right to the franchise.
The new House Democratic bill is massive — it includes strict conditions on corporations that accept bailout funds and beefs up paid sick leave and direct cash payments to Americans, among other things — but for our purposes here, what’s notable is the pro-democracy piece of the package.
That pro-democracy piece, according to a summary of the bill being circulated by House Democratic aides, contains these provisions:
“Requiring states to offer vote-by-mail in November is essential,” Hasen said. “We don’t know what conditions are going to be like, and vote-by-mail is a safety net. While two-thirds of states offer no-excuse absentee balloting, that means one-third do not, and that millions of voters face potential disenfranchisement in the fall.”
However, Hasen argued it isn’t necessary for this legislation to make these changes permanent — as it does — because it might be easier to secure GOP support if they only apply to this fall’s election. Protecting against mass chaos amid this particular pandemic is the crucial imperative, Hasen noted.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/03/23/democrats-throw-down-gauntlet-vote-by-mail/
Here’s a good piece of news amid the parade of horrors: House Democrats are set to introduce their own version of the stimulus, and importantly, it includes a set of provisions that would potentially prevent coronavirus from scuttling this fall’s elections.
The provisions in question would make it possible for every eligible voter in the country to cast a vote by mail. This would spare them the excruciating choice between practicing social distancing — thus protecting themselves and the rest of us from the spread of the disease — and exercising their right to the franchise.
The new House Democratic bill is massive — it includes strict conditions on corporations that accept bailout funds and beefs up paid sick leave and direct cash payments to Americans, among other things — but for our purposes here, what’s notable is the pro-democracy piece of the package.
That pro-democracy piece, according to a summary of the bill being circulated by House Democratic aides, contains these provisions:
- It mandates that states and jurisdictions set up a process by which any eligible voter can vote by mail if he or she chooses — and would not require voters to give any rationale for doing so. Such voters would be provided with a postage-prepaid, self-sealing envelope.
- If any state or jurisdiction declares an emergency, they would be required to automatically mail absentee ballots to all registered voters, no later than two weeks before Election Day.
- It requires states and jurisdictions to implement at least 15 consecutive days of early voting in federal elections.
- It mandates that states and jurisdictions create a same-day voter registration option for all eligible voters.
- It budgets $4 billion for states to implement these changes, in keeping with a recent Brennan Center analysis that recommended that any coronavirus response legislation include at least $2 billion to protect the election.
“Requiring states to offer vote-by-mail in November is essential,” Hasen said. “We don’t know what conditions are going to be like, and vote-by-mail is a safety net. While two-thirds of states offer no-excuse absentee balloting, that means one-third do not, and that millions of voters face potential disenfranchisement in the fall.”
However, Hasen argued it isn’t necessary for this legislation to make these changes permanent — as it does — because it might be easier to secure GOP support if they only apply to this fall’s election. Protecting against mass chaos amid this particular pandemic is the crucial imperative, Hasen noted.
