The Defending Our Democracy Action Team last month stepped up its advocacy for the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act by focusing on moderate Republican senators. 

The team met with staff from  senators  in Alabama, Alaska, Maine, Louisiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania. All the senators agreed that voting is a fundamental right. The main argument DAT heard was about “federal overreach” —  the new regulations are too restrictive and states should have more flexibility in their implementation.

The Freedom to Vote Act will make it easier for all citizens to vote; end gerrymandering so that electoral districts are fairly drawn; and reduce the impact of big money in politics. The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act will restore the full protections of the 1965 Voting Rights Act against discriminatory voting laws.  Both measures have been stymied in the Senate.

Senator Lisa Murkowski (Alaska)  has been the lone Republican supporting the John Lewis Act. Staff in her office said she wants  to gain additional partisan support. Her concern with the Freedom to Vote Act is that it is too prescriptive. Smaller towns in Alaska don’t need or want 15 ten-hour days of early voting. 

Staff from Sen. Susan Collins (Maine) said the senator agrees with making it easier to vote but does not want undue burdens placed on the states. Sen. Collins  supports campaign finance disclosure, disclosure of foreign contacts, and resources for election security. She is also concerned about federal mandates such as having polling places at each college campus, and the new John Lewis pre-clearance formula. 

Sen. Collins has worked on coming up with bi-partisan compromises on the John Lewis bill. DAT also heard from Sen. Rob Portman’s office, that  the Ohio Republican also supports coming up with a bi-partisan bill, and making it easier to vote.

DAT had good success in combining its visits with members of the Immigration ActionTeam since some  offices have the same staffer for both issues, and many constituents are interested in both areas. Last month, DAT was also successful in recruiting constituents to join in the meetings. The team finds adding constituents makes the meetings more powerful and effective. If you are interested in participating in future meetings, please email Anna@uusj.org for information on upcoming meetings.