ICYMI Video of the March 18 Meeting | H.R.1 For the People Act & Other Voting Rights Legislation

The Lincoln County Democratic Committee (LCDC) held its monthly meeting on March 18, 2021, via Zoom. The advertised agenda included guest speakers Hon. Shenna Bellows, Maine Secretary of State, & Will Hayward, Advocacy Program Coordinator, Democracy Maine.

Meeting Focus

During a time of accelerated Republican efforts to thwart the electoral process and disenfranchise voters, primarily in communities of color, we all have an important role to play in defending American democracy. H.R.1, For The People Act, is the most significant voting rights and democracy reform passed in more than half a century intended to expand voting rights, fight big money in politics, end extreme partisan gerrymandering, and hold elected officials accountable.

Note that the video is only of Shenna’s and Will’s portions. The Democracy Discussion at the end was not recorded in order for attendees to share freely.

The next meeting will take place on April 15.

Resources Shared During the Meeting

IMMEDIATE ACTION NEEDED
Contact our senators now with your support of H.R.1/S.1 and for filibuster reform
https://www.collins.senate.gov/contact
https://www.king.senate.gov/contact

This is a great article from Vox about filibuster reforms that could be made.

H.R.1 Links

Synopsis:
https://democrats.org/for-the-people/
In Depth:
https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/policy-solutions/congress-must-pass-people-act
Official:
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/1

Guest Speaker: Hon. Shenna Bellows, Maine Secretary of State

From Shenna: Here is my testimony before Congress!

You can watch a video of Secretary Bellows’ testimony here. She speaks from about 49:37 to 54:17 and answers some questions from committee members later. From Kelli: Of particular enjoyment is how she deftly handled  Rep. Bryan Steil of Wisconsin, who opposed HR 1.

The ongoing absentee voter status bill is LD 148: http://legislature.maine.gov/LawMakerWeb/summary.asp?ID=280078117

The online voter registration bill is LD 1126: https://legislature.maine.gov/bills/display_ps.asp?snum=130&paper=HP0804&PID=1456

Guest Speaker: Will Hayward, Advocacy Program Coordinator, Democracy Maine

Contact: will@democracymaine.org

Democracy Maine is a collaboration between the League of Women Voters of Maine and Maine Citizens for Clean Elections

Legislative Agenda:
https://www.democracymaine.org/our-legislative-agenda

From Shenna: League of Women Voters is extraordinary in their advocacy.  We’re so lucky to have them in Maine!

Action Items:
https://www.lwvme.org/TakeAction
https://www.lwvme.org/lwvme/signup

National Popular Vote Support:
https://www.lwvme.org/NPV
https://www.facebook.com/MaineNPV

If you want LTE talking points, contact Will: will@democracymaine.org

Democracy Forum radio program:
https://www.lwvme.org/democracyforum

Shared from attendees:

You can find sample ballots on the Maine Voter Information Lookup Service. That site also includes the names of all your elected officials and your polling location

Comment regarding posting election results publicly:
Nobleboro Town Office always posts the Town votes whenever they finish counting them on the night of the election — and have for at least the 20 years I have been here.

A few of the national organizations advocating for passage of H.R.1/S.1 For the People Act and S.4 John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act

League of Women Voters
Common Cause
Verified Voting
Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
Brennan Center for Justice
NAACP
League of United Latin American Citizens
Asian Americans Advancing Justice
Rock the Vote