All articles tagged with #election reform
The House descended into gridlock as Republican hardliners blocked votes on the SAVE America Act and other voting-reform measures, forcing Speaker Mike Johnson to cancel votes and end the July Fourth schedule. The stoppage also stalls the Pentagon’s annual defense policy bill and stalls routine governance ahead of the midterms, with Democrats frustrated by intra-GOP infighting and a razor-thin majority.
Donald Trump mailed in his ballot in a Florida special election as he pushes Republicans to pass the SAVE Act to curb mail-in voting, highlighting a contradiction between his critique of mail ballots and his own use of the method. The piece notes that mail-in voting is widely used and generally secure, and mentions a U.S. Supreme Court case from Mississippi that could limit late-arriving ballots, while noting his past support for voting by mail in 2020.
President Trump is calling on Congress to pass the SAVE America Act to safeguard U.S. elections by strengthening voter ID and citizenship verification, and by addressing mail-in voting risks. The White House pitches voter ID as broadly popular with the public, citing multiple polls, and argues such measures do not reduce turnout. It also asserts voting by mail raises fraud risks, and claims strong public support for the act (including substantial backing from independents and some Democrats) as a commonsense way to protect election integrity.
California Governor Newsom announced a response to potential election rigging by Texas and other states, proposing a constitutional amendment called The Election Rigging Response Act to protect fair redistricting and voting rights, with plans for a statewide vote and legislative measures to counteract efforts to manipulate electoral maps, emphasizing the importance of defending democracy against partisan gerrymandering and federal overreach.
As Congress becomes increasingly polarized and competitive elections decline, there is a growing call for election reform through proportional representation in the U.S. House of Representatives. Proportional representation would distribute seats in the legislature based on the proportion of votes each party receives, potentially reducing political extremism, eliminating gerrymandering, and ensuring fair representation for people of color and voters in "red" or "blue" areas. However, implementing proportional representation faces significant challenges, including a federal law that currently bans it. Supporters argue that it could increase diversity, competition, and voter turnout, while critics raise concerns about the rise of multiple parties and the difficulty of reaching consensus.
U.S. Representative John Sarbanes, a Democrat from Maryland, announced that he will not seek reelection next year, surprising many. Sarbanes, known for his advocacy of election and campaign finance reform, expressed interest in exploring other forms of public service. His departure creates a rare vacancy in Maryland's eight-member congressional delegation. Potential contenders for his seat include Democratic state Senator Clarence Lam. Sarbanes will serve the remainder of his term, which runs through 2024.
The Michigan legislature is halfway to implementing historic changes to voting access, including a brand-new early in-person voting system, requiring a ballot drop box in every city and township, and creating a single application for voters who want to vote absentee in every future election. Republicans are complaining of an expedited process and that the bills go beyond what the constitutional amendment requires. Lawmakers are aiming to pass the Prop 2 bills before the legislature leaves for summer break at the end of June.