Hillary's Onward Together PAC joins Democracy Docket to Strengthen the Right to Vote

From: Hillary Clinton
Subject: How we can protect access to the ballot


As the COVID-19 crisis continues, it is clear that the security of November’s elections will rely on ensuring that millions of Americans can vote by mail.
For many of us, this is a shift in the way we make our voices heard, and state officials need to take action immediately to ensure that all Americans, no matter where they live, can safely cast their votes.

Onward Together is proud to partner with Democracy Docket, a new effort to proactively detect and combat suppressive voting laws and practices that could sway the outcome of the 2020 elections.

Make a contribution now and help give more people -- regardless of party or political preferences -- a fair chance to cast their ballot while staying safe and healthy.

As with any method of voting, vote by mail is susceptible to the voter disenfranchisement that has plagued our country in recent elections.
From Georgia to Wisconsin, we’ve seen the ways uneven access to the ballot can affect the outcome of critical races. Restrictions and voter purges disproportionately burden African Americans, Latinos, young and first-time voters, non-native English speakers, and voters with disabilities.

The team at Democracy Docket has identified more than a dozen specific laws in select states that they intend to challenge through litigation as we approach one of the most consequential elections of our lifetimes.

Now is when election officials must act, and it’s up to us to push them to do the right thing. Learn more at DemocracyDocket.com, then chip in to support this vital work:

DEMOCRACY DOCKET

https://www.democracydocket.com/
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Four Pillars to Safeguard Voting Rights with Vote by Mail
By Marc Elias on March 18, 2020

https://www.democracydocket.com/2020/03/safeguard-voting-rights-with-vbm/#more-4231

Increasingly, we are seeing calls for states to adopt no-excuse absentee and vote by mail. This is a very important step in ensuring the right to vote, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, as with any method of voting, there are safeguards that are necessary to prevent voter disenfranchisement — particularly among young voters and voters of color.

1. Postage must be free or prepaid by the government: No voter should have to pay to mail their ballot, period. Postage should either be prepaid, or the postal service should agree to deliver ballots to the appropriate election authorities without a stamp.

2. Ballots postmarked on or before Election Day must count: Many states reject all ballots received after Election Day, even if postmarked on or before Election Day. This is simply wrong and unfair to voters who have done everything right but have their ballots thrown out because of delays with the postal service. (MORE)

3. Signature matching laws need to be reformed to protect voters: Increased vote by mail will dramatically increase the number of ballots with signature issues. Absentee ballots with questionable signatures should be reviewed by three election officials. Only if all three find beyond a reasonable doubt that a signature does not match should it be set aside. (MORE)

4. Community organizations should be permitted to help collect and deliver voted, sealed ballots: In many states, community organizations play a vital role in collecting and delivering voted, sealed mail ballot for counting. Voters without easy access to secure and reliable outgoing mail, or who need extra help to get their ballots delivered, rely on this practice. Unfortunately, in an effort to suppress the vote, Republicans have supported laws to ban this important tool to ensure voting. (MORE)


About DEMOCRACY DOCKET:
"Democracy Docket was created by Marc Elias to serve as an extension of his voting rights and redistricting litigation and advocacy.
Following the Supreme Court’s ruling in Shelby County v. Holder, Republicans made clear that they no longer supported voting rights. Yet, as Republican state legislatures enacted hundreds of new laws undermining the right to vote, the progressive response centered on a handful of the most onerous and outrageous voting restrictions."

"Democracy Docket focuses on detecting, highlighting, and combating suppressive voting laws and practices that will have the greatest impact on the outcome of the 2020 elections and which are not otherwise being addressed.
Put simply, we spotlight those laws and practices that restrict the right to vote but may not be the most newsworthy."
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DEMOCRACY DOCKET is an excellent supportive organization focusing on the Right to Vote.
From donor PACS to those at the top with powerful ties, on down the line to all committed organizers that will be needed as we approch Nov 2020.