Democracy Matters - Episode 61: Pulling Democracy Back from the Brink

Why do we have to run an obstacle course when we go to vote every two years in federal elections? How can Congress strengthen American democratic institutions and the right to vote by implementing new policies and procedures that will protect voting rights, limit corruption, expose “Dark Money” in politics, and make the political process more transparent? What can be done to address systemic disenfranchisement and voter suppression of historically minoritized and marginalized groups in the United States?

In this episode, we talk with Congressman John Sarbanes about what it will take to secure voting rights for every American and restore confidence in elections and government. Congressman Sarbanes chairs the Democracy Reform Task Force, which has assembled HR1, the For The People Act, to reform and strengthen our democracy. 

Congressman Sarbanes has represented Maryland’s Third Congressional District in the U.S. Congress since 2007. He currently serves on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the House Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change. He serves as Vice Chair of the House Subcommittee on Health. Congressman Sarbanes also serves on the House Oversight and Reform Committee and its Subcommittee on Government Operations.

Links in this episode:

• H.R. 1, For the People Act
• https://oversight.house.gov/news/press-releases/committee-examined-ethics-proposals-in-hr-1 
• John Lewis Voting Rights Advance Act
• Election Assistance Commission
• Walter Shaub on Democracy Matters https://bit.ly/dmshaub 
• The Not-So-Peachy State of Voting Rights in Georgia by Angelina Clapp, JMU Civic Democracy Program Fellow
• What’s in the For the People Act by Angelina Clapp, JMU Civic Democracy Program Fellow
• Democracy Works