Senator Young has announced his opposition to S.1 the For the People Act which sets forth reforms to voting, ethic rules and campaign finance that would strengthen the country’s democracy. However, when thoughtfully analyzed, Senator Young’s reasons for opposing the For the People Act do not stand up.
Senator Young attacks the bill for “taking a system that is actually working quite well and applies drastic election reforms.” Unfortunately, Indiana’s voting system is not “actually working quite well.” Even in 2020, a year that witnessed high voter turnout, Indiana ranked 43rdout of 50 states and D.C. Ranking as a low turnout state is consistent with the state’s performance in past elections.
The reasons for Indiana’s low turnout can be attributed to Indiana’s voter registration deadlines, voter ID law, and other voting structures that create unnecessary barriers for Hoosier voters. For example:
- Voter ID law is one of the most restrictive in the nation–only 6 other states employ such an ID law.
- Voter registration ends 29 days before Election Day, the earliest date allowed under federal law.
- 6 P.M. polls closing on Election Day is the earliest in the nation.
- Access to vote by absentee ballot has been restricted.
- Availability of Early In-person Voting varies county to county.
- Purges of voting rolls.
Allof these obstacles faced by Indiana voters would be addressed by the passage of For the People Act, which include:
- Same Day Registration allowing eligible voters to register to vote or update registration at the polls.
- An option to the ID requirement in federal elections, permits those who don’t have an ID to present a statement signed by the individual under penalty of perjury, attesting to the individual’s identity and eligibility to vote. States retain their ID procedures for all other elections.
- A full two weeks for early voting.
- Access to absentee ballots available to all registered voters upon request.
- Unified standards for updating voting roll, providing an end to purges.
- Minimum 7 P.M. poll closing on Election Day.
Senator Young says he opposes S.1 because it would “federalizes states’ authority over their election processes” and that the Act is a partisan “power grab”. Again, these assertions are false. S.1 does not take authority over the electoral process from the states. States and local governments would continue to administer all elections, just as they do now, and they would continue to set policies for their jurisdictions. The For the People Act merely sets baseline standards for voting access in federal contests, as Congress has done many times before.
Lastly, this bill is NOT a partisan “power grab.” Wanting every eligible voter to have equal access to the ballot box is not partisan. Wanting a robust democracy in which everyone has an equal voice and equal representation is not partisan—it is American.
The reforms in the For the People Act are modeled from successful practices that have been implemented in red, blue, and purple states This act would implement some popular measures: national voting standards so every citizen has equal freedom to vote, campaign finance reforms to take back elections from billionaires and corporations, an end to partisan gerrymandering, and ethical rules for all three branches of government.
Hoosiers would greatly benefit from the passage of S.1. Wanting a robust democracy in which every eligible voter has equal access to the ballot box, and everyone has an equal voice and equal representation should not be viewed as partisan.
Senator Young was elected to represent the interests of his constituents. Passing the For the People Act ISin the best interest of his continents and in protecting the country’s democracy. Our responsibility as citizens, call Senator Young (202-224-5623)and remind him.
Respectfully,
League of Women Voters of Elkhart County—.
The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan voice for free, fair, and open elections founded more than 100 years ago. We neither support nor oppose candidates or political parties, butwe do stand for issues that are core to our mission: empowering voters and defending democracy.
