Rahm Emanuel suggest’s that Democrats turn to ballot initiatives on the state level to inch voting rights law around the country try….
That would need some fancy political wording and dancing in those Red states Democrats would have work in….
Republicans seem to be in the lead in some places on this…
Democrats will have to mount YUGE ‘get out the vote’ efforts to stay ahead….
here is nothing now to suggest real progress at the national level or even a path to be followed, short of filibuster reform. That has prompted some Democrats to suggest other ways to counter Republican efforts in the states.
Among them is Rahm Emanuel, the former Chicago mayor, congressman and Obama chief of staff, who said Democrats need to think about this battle as one that will go beyond the next election cycle or two. They should act accordingly, he said. One of his ideas is to use ballot initiatives in states that allow them to put the issue of voting rights directly to the voters.
“This is not the solution but it’s an open door if you want to try it,” Emanuel said. “If you’re stymied in the state capitals and there doesn’t seem to be movement in Washington, open up another line of attack. Florida showed us the way to do it just a few years ago.”
He was referring to the 2018 ballot initiative in Florida that called for restoring voting rights for felons. The measure was approved with more than 60 percent of the vote, though elected Republicans, including Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), later sought to undermine it.
From the president to the vice president to the Texas quorum breakers, Democrats are relying on rhetoric and visibility to make their case to expand and defend voting rights. Meanwhile, Republicans are applying the muscle they enjoy in state capitals to change laws. For now, this is a formula that gives Republicans the upper hand….
Chris Perkins
@PerkinsRRP
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1h
Democrats left Texas with a case of Miller Lite and came back with six cases of Corona
More than 100 state legislators from across the country will converge in Washington on Monday to join their Texas counterparts in pushing the Senate and President Biden to take action on voting reform legislation.
The lawmakers represent more than 20 states, including some in which Republican-led legislatures have passed or are considering new voting restrictions, and will urge senators to pass the For the People Act, or at least show progress on a federal voting law, before their summer recess. They are scheduled to rally outside the Capitol on Tuesday and press their case during other public events and private meetings.
The For the People Act, which would set voting standards and overhaul campaign finance and ethics rules, has stalled in the 50-50 Senate because it can’t get the support of 60 members needed to pass most legislation there…
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