Republicans are working tirelessly to roll back voting rights and the progress that's been made to correct the extant injustices of voter suppression. Since the November election, Republicans across the country have introduced new state legislationto restrict voting rights and amend election laws as an attempt to course-correct their major losses. And it’s happening right here in Washington.
During the 2021 legislative session, Republicans in the State Senate introduced Senate Bill 5143, the “Free and Fair Elections Act of 2021,” aiming to bring back voting machines and in-person voting in Washington. Their desire to roll back our voting system is due to the progress Democrats have made to expand voting rights to those that have been disenfranchised and excluded from the electoral process for years, especially voters in rural areas and on Native American reservations.
Republicans are losing elections because they fail to recognize that their ideologies and legislation have done nothing to support working families, create jobs, or uplift historically marginalized communities across the state -- or the country.
It's not patriotic to attack American democracy. And it’s not patriotic to lie to Americans about facts.
Republican extremism has led our country to disarray, and we are lucky to have President Joe Biden at the helm working to build back better by bringing our country together when it matters the most. When Republicans undermine the security of our elections, they undermine the voices of the people and the power of our votes.
GOP officials from the Presidency to Congress to local municipal leaders tried with all their might to obstruct our electoral processes. The anti-democratic attacks against our progressive efforts are ramping up with every passing day. Our commitment to protect fair elections must continue with even greater fervor.
In Olympia, Democrats are acting with resolve in taking every opportunity they can during the 2021 legislative session to ensure that the voting rights of every Washingtonian are protected and expanded in our state. This week, the Washington State House passed HB 1078 to restore voting rights for convicted felons. Introduced to the house by Representative Tarra Simmons(23rd LD), Washington’s first member of the legislature formerly convicted of a felony, HB 1078 will restore voter eligibility for all persons convicted of a felony offense who are not in total confinement under the jurisdiction of the Department of Corrections -- if passed by the Senate.
Restoring voting rights is the step we need to take to heal our nation and to ensure that democracy is protected and advanced for future generations to come. The divisiveness around the legitimacy of the 2020 election is a direct attack on the Civil Rights Movement and we must call on Congress to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to continue Congressman Lewis’ work as a civil rights activist and member of Congress. This will be the foundation to protect voters from unconstitutional voting procedures that are intended to harm the fair and free voting access that many Washingtonians have worked so hard to achieve.
Democrats are focused on a brighter future!
This week, President Biden announcednew adjustments to the Paycheck Protection Programfocused on funding for small businesses that are so vital to communities all across America. Americans need economic relief now, and it starts with protecting the mom and pop shops that have withstood the test of time so they can continue to serve their neighborhoods.
In Washington, we're making quick strides to build back better. This week, Governor Inslee signed the $2.2 Billion COVID-19 Relief Billto get kids back in the classroom, ramp up testing and vaccines, and get economic relief to those who are struggling the most.
In light of the pandemic, the need for digital connectivity across the state has never been more clear. Democrats in the Washington state legislature are working to strengthen internet access for rural communities! This week, the legislature passedHB 1336, the Public Broadband act that will authorize public utility districts, port districts, cities and towns, and counties to provide retail telecommunications services. Democratic Representative Drew Hansen (23rd LD) led the charge for this bipartisan effort to bridge the digital divide that has stricken our rural communities. We have never seen a greater need for public broadband in our state's rural and underserved areas. Equipping our communities with access to public broadband will connect working-class families to more jobs and students of all ages to broader learning experiences.
Finally, earlier this week I had a special opportunity to sit down with some amazing Black elected officials from across the state. During Black History Month and throughout the entire year, we must honor and celebrate Washington state's Black leaders who have paved the way for progressive action and those who are leading our communities right now as changemakers. Watch our candid discussion here!
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Something to do: The Washington State Democrats are excited to announce that we’re partnering with the ASDC Best Practices Institute to ensure we’re getting the most thorough and comprehensive training for ALL of our Local Party Leaders, PCOs, and amazing volunteers. The Train the Trainer (T3) program is designed to train thousands of people at their own pace over six weeks,beginning March 16. Click hereto submit your registration for the 2021 T3 Training Program! Registration will close at 8:59 p.m. PT, on Sunday, March 14. It’s the best investment you’ll make in the future of organizing in Washington state!
Something to watch:This week onDemocracy on Demand, we chatted with Representative Jesse Johnson (30th LD) about usage of permissible force by law enforcement and juvenile access to attorneys when contacted by law enforcement.
Something to read: Latino Voters have Higher than Average Ballot Signature Rejection Rates in Washington State: Click here to read!
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