A Push for Democracy: The For the People Act and Other Key Legislative Efforts

In today’s world, where the strength of democracy is being tested, the For the People Act aims to protect the foundations of voting rights, campaign finance, ethics, and election security. Initially introduced in 2019 and reintroduced in 2021 as H.R.1/S.1, this act has gained significant public support as a way to empower voters, combat corruption, and make elections more accessible and secure. However, its passage has been blocked by Senate Republicans, highlighting the deep political divide over how democracy should be protected and improved.

What’s in the For the People Act?

The For the People Act addresses several critical areas to improve democratic participation and government accountability. Below are the key provisions of the act:

Voting Rights:

Expands voting access with automatic, same-day, and online voter registration.
Restores voting rights for individuals with felony convictions after sentence completion.
Makes Election Day a federal holiday to encourage voter participation.
Establishes nationwide early voting and vote-by-mail options.
Prevents voter-roll purges and strengthens protections against discriminatory voting laws.

Campaign Finance Reform:

Introduces public financing for congressional campaigns using small-dollar donations, matched by federal funds.
Requires dark money groups to disclose their funding sources.
Strengthens oversight by the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to reduce partisan deadlock.

Ethics and Government Accountability:

Requires presidential candidates to disclose their tax returns.
Imposes stricter rules to prevent conflicts of interest for public officials.
Enhances ethics regulations for lobbyists and foreign agents.
Establishes a nonpartisan commission to eliminate partisan gerrymandering.

Election Security:

Mandates the use of paper ballots for all federal elections.
Funds infrastructure upgrades and cybersecurity protections to safeguard elections.

How Can You Support This Legislation?

Citizens can support the For the People Act in various ways:

Contact your representatives to express support.
Sign petitions advocating for the bill.
Vote in every election to ensure your voice is heard.
Donate to organizations working to promote democracy.
Share information on social media to raise awareness.

Other Legislative Efforts Supporting Democracy

While the For the People Act has not yet passed due to Senate opposition, other important acts aim to tackle similar issues, including:

The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act

This act focuses on restoring key provisions of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, requiring states with histories of voting discrimination to obtain federal approval before changing election laws. It aims to prevent voter suppression and ensure equal access to the ballot.

The Freedom to Vote Act

A revised version of the For the People Act, this act narrows its focus to protect voting rights by ensuring access to mail-in ballots, early voting, and fair redistricting processes. The Freedom to Vote Act also aims to limit dark money in politics and promote transparency in campaign finance.

The DISCLOSE Act

This legislation seeks to combat the influence of dark money in elections by requiring organizations to disclose large donors who contribute to political campaigns. It complements campaign finance reforms introduced in the For the People Act.

Why These Acts Matter

The For the People Act, along with the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote Act, represents a comprehensive response to the challenges currently facing U.S. democracy. Ensuring every eligible voter has access to the ballot, preventing gerrymandering, and increasing transparency in campaign financing are essential steps toward building trust and accountability in government.

The fight to pass these pieces of legislation reflects the ongoing debate about how to balance power and ensure fair representation. Even though the For the People Act faces political roadblocks, ongoing grassroots efforts and public pressure play a crucial role in keeping these issues at the forefront of the national conversation.

Sources:

For the People Act Factsheet created by: Samantha Sliger