The Election Funding Battle We Must Win
FRED WERTHEIMER’S WEEKLY NOTE | April 30, 2020
“It is essential to win this fight now, as time is running out for the states to be able to use the funding effectively in advance of the November election.”
The fight over providing money for the states to run their November elections is now underway in Congress as Democratic and Republican leaders begin laying out their priorities for the next big relief package.
It is essential to win this fight now, as time is running out for the states to be able to use the funding effectively in advance of the November election.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer have indicated that their top priority in this bill is substantial support for state and local governments, who have had to absorb enormous costs to fight the coronavirus pandemic.
Pelosi and Schumer have also indicated that they are committed to getting the $3.6 to $4 billion necessary for the states to run safe, secure, and honest elections in November, in the face of the pandemic.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said that his “red line” requirement in the coming negotiations and for passing the bill is to provide liability immunity for businesses. McConnell normally does not show his cards like this and the immunity provision appears to be his bottom line in return for providing states and local governments with the funding they desperately need.
Many oppose liability immunity for businesses. But if that is a deal that is made, Democracy 21 and other voting advocates must ensure that adequate funds are included in that deal for the states to conduct fair and honest elections.
If the voting money decision is left to later negotiations over the bill, our leverage will be gone, and McConnell, who strongly opposes any additional election funding for partisan reasons, will have the upper hand in withholding or minimizing the funds.
Time is of the essence.
We cannot let McConnell win this battle. At stake is the ability to ensure that every eligible voter is able to vote and have their vote fairly counted.
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