Thread by @CampaignLegal

As @POTUS gives his #StateOfTheUnion address tonight, we'd like to share our own #SOTU.  

Here are five ways we'd like to see the promise of democracy become real for us all in 2023:  

[thread incoming🧵]

1/ Protect & expand the freedom to vote ahead of #Election2024.

This is one of our most fundamental rights, and our democracy is strongest when every voter can participate in it. We're very much still fighting anti-voter laws in court & taking on barriers to #VoterRegistration.

1b/ Meanwhile, in the absence of federal voting legislation, we're very encouraged by the passage of State Voting Rights Acts (aka State VRAs). We hope to see more of them introduced this year. 

campaignlegal.org/update/protect…

2/ Advocate for voters in jail and voters with past convictions. 

Voters in jail who have not been convicted of a crime should face no restrictions when voting, but many do. They face countless barriers to registering to vote & casting their ballot. 

campaignlegal.org/update/can-peo…

2b/ Also, up to 18 million Americans with past felony convictions CAN vote, but most don't know it due to confusing voting restoration laws.  

CLC has urged federal agencies to dismantle barriers for voters in jail and voters with past convictions. 
campaignlegal.org/update/clc-urg…

2c/ CLC developed a manual to help jailed voters cast a ballot, and & we're working with states & localities to implement measures that expand ballot access in jails.

You can access the manual here -  
campaignlegal.org/document/jail-…

2d/ Our #RestoreYourVote program is removing barriers for voters w/ past convictions in court & online.

If you have a past conviction, you can confirm your eligibility or start the process of restoring your vote at RestoreYourVote.org (en Español: RecupereSuVoto.org).

3/ Promote #FairMaps.  

The 2021 #redistricting cycle is over, but CLC is still battling racial vote dilution & partisan gerrymanders in court. We're also resisting the Independent State Legislature Theory, which would undermine crucial checks & balances: campaignlegal.org/update/what-vo…

3b/ State VRAs can promote #FairMaps by making it easier for Black voters & communities of color to prove that a map discriminates through racial vote dilution.

We'd also love to see more (say it with us!!) Independent Redistricting Commissions.
 
campaignlegal.org/update/do-inde…

4/ Advocate for stronger #ethics laws in all 3 branches of government. 

We want to see a stronger @CongressEthics (OCE) & the establishment of an independent ethics committee for the Senate. >90% of voters want stronger ethics enforcement for Congress.

campaignlegal.org/update/senator…

4b/ We'd also like to see @POTUS fulfill his #ethics reform promises, because voters have a right to know that elected officials are serving the public interest and not their own wallets: campaignlegal.org/update/biden-s…

5/ Promote greater transparency around how our elections are funded. 

Dysfunction at the @FEC is undermining voters' right to know who is spending money to influence our vote & our government. We're filing complaints to expose secret spending, and... 
campaignlegal.org/update/why-fec…

5b/ ...CLC is advocating for solutions at the federal, state & local levels to address gaps in  transparency rules, supporting key legislation and ballot measures (like Prop 211, aka the Voters’ Right to Know Act, in Arizona): campaignlegal.org/update/arizona…

5c/ Secret spending, aka #DarkMoney in our political process, deprives voters of information necessary to make informed electoral choices and makes our electoral system vulnerable to corruption and manipulation.

taHere's how: campaignlegal.org/update/5-ways-…

CLC is fighting for every American’s right to responsive government and a fair opportunity to participate in and affect the democratic process.  

If you like what you've read in our #StateOfTheUnion thread here, sign up to get pro-democracy updates here: campaignlegal.org/get-updates