This is a timely article about a prominent
group of Americans who address the critical topic of election integrity from NEWSWEEK
and also in a related
article from CNN with this headline:
“GOP Introduced More Than 260
Bills to Subvert Elections after
Trump's 2020 Loss: Report”
The nonpartisan group named: “States
United Democracy Center” outlines Republican efforts to subvert our free
and fair elections, by highlighting that more than 260 bills pending that will interfere
with elections that are now in place in states across the country in their year-end
report released this week. It is based on Trump’s and many of his right-wing
allies’ falsely still claiming that the 2020 election was “rigged” or “stolen” from
Trump in favor of now-President Joe Biden. Thus, many pro-Trump Republicans have
used that conspiracy theory to justify new voting and election reform
legislation, which critics have warned could undermine our democratic election process.
The main part from this
article is from the opening paragraph of their report explained this way: “As
one of the most challenging years in modern American history draws to a close,
the emerging threat posed by efforts to subvert free and fair election
administration has come into sharper focus. To put it simply, the future of
fair, professional, and nonpartisan elections is on the line and the erosion of
public trust in our democracy is deeply concerning.”
So, who belongs to and is running this organization behind that report? See their homepage linked above to see that it was co-founded by former NJ Republican Governor Christine Todd Whitman, MA Democrat and former Deputy AG Joanna Lydgate, and renowned Attorney Norm Eisen who previously served in the Obama administration. Their advisory board members also includes a number of prominent Democrats and Republicans for example: Former MT Democratic Governor Steve Bullock and former PA Governor Tom Ridge.
Their report issues warning about GOP-run states like this short clip shows (Texas example):
“While many damaging proposals and efforts were beaten back
in 2021 and pro-democracy officials from both parties continue to use every
tool available to fight for free and fair elections, we again renew our warning
ahead of 2022: We have a democracy crisis in the making.”
Further they warn: “The number of proposed bills that fall into the categories we
have identified as promoting election sabotage has continued to grow and the
number of bills enacted into law has also increased, despite the fact that most
state legislatures went out of session mid-year. Additionally, the variety of
ways that state legislatures now endeavor to undermine independent election
administration is evolving.”
Although Trump and many conservative allies claim that the last
presidential election was rife with widespread voter fraud, they have not
brought forward evidence to substantiate the allegation.
To the contrary, dozens of their election challenge lawsuits
have failed in state and federal courts (62 to date), and even by judges
appointed by Trump and fellow Republicans – all rejected the legal challenges
or outright dismissed the case that includes two USSC dismissals.
Further, audits and recounts and audits of the recounts in
key battleground states — including in places where the election was
overseen by pro-Trump Republicans — have consistently reaffirmed
Biden's victory.
Also, former AG William Barr who was a key Trump Cabinet
member, ordered the DOJ to investigate claims of voter fraud last year.
He then concluded in December of 2020 that there was no evidence of malfeasance that would change
the election results – after that, Trump fired him.
This email was sent to NEWSWEEK after this article was published
and is now posted. It is from Joana Lydgate, the Founder and CEO of States United
Democracy Center: “People who deny the results of the 2020 election
want the power to be able to overturn the will of the voters in future
elections if they don't like the outcome. We won't let this election hijacking
fly under the radar. We have trusted, pro-democracy leaders from both sides of
the aisle in our states who held the line in 2020. This is the time to uplift,
empower, and support them.”
My 2 Cents: Boy is it nice to see such a renowned and bi-partisan group like this springing into action.
That gives me hope and faith and trust in our strength as a nation not to be
divided by the likes of Donald J. Trump and those who cling to his con and
massive disinformation campaign to regain power and have a “Trump dynasty” run
our country.
So, good for this group.
Keep up the good work and we need to pitch in and help and support them anyway
possible. So, a hearty congrats to this group.
Thanks for stopping by.
No comments:
Post a Comment