Title
Resolution Supporting the For The People Act (H.R. 1 / S. 1)
Body
Whereas, The citizens of Michigan deserve to have their voices heard at the ballot box, including equitable access to ballots and a reformed campaign finance system that no longer allows out-of-state dark money donors to influence elections;
Whereas, State constitutional amendments to end partisan gerrymandering and to strengthen voting rights and ballot access were submitted to, and approved by, Michigan voters as Proposal 18-2 and Proposal 18-3 respectively at the November 6, 2018 general election;
Whereas, Current state legislative efforts in Michigan put ballot access at risk for vulnerable populations and walk back many of the popular reforms that have resulted in historic turnout in Michigan elections;
Whereas, Elected officials should be truly representative of their constituencies, which can be achieved by requiring equitable and easier access to the ballot box through federal standards around early voting, absentee voting, and redistricting;
Whereas, Dark money and out-of-state donors have overtaken public discourse surrounding Michigan elections, a problem solved by requiring political groups to disclose their largest donors and improving transparency in digital and other advertisements;
Whereas, Loopholes in our campaign finance framework and weak ethics requirements have opened the door for corruption in government and allowed foreign governments to sway the opinions of voters;
Whereas, The modernization of the voting process, and elimination of voter purging, would support local election officials in administering safe elections while at the same time easing the registration and voting process for Michigan residents; and
Whereas, The commonsense reforms included in the For the People Act are needed to ensure safer and more reliable voting standards, end the influence of dark money in Michigan elections, and restore ethics and accountability withi...
Click here for full text