by Charlene Marshall and Clif Moore
West Virginians are extremely patriotic people and have rightfully and enthusiastically watched the debate over campaign finance and election reforms closely as it evolves in Washington, D.C., because it signals how strong our democracy is. Our fellow West Virginians clearly understand what it’s like to be marginalized and minimized by powerful special interests who are more concerned with their bank accounts rather than the health of our great democracy. We’ve witnessed how the wealthy and well-connected in America use the sum of their influences to prevent people from voting — and that subsequently hurts our democracy.
As state legislatures across the country enact restrictive legislation and partisan gridlock remains a barrier to progress in Congress, our friend, Sen. Manchin, has stepped up to the plate. The introduction of his Freedom to Vote Act, a comprehensive and common sense bill addressing the most serious challenges our democracy faces today, represents Sen. Manchin’s unwavering commitment to getting things done.
For years, West Virginia has led the nation on ballot access and voter turnout. Because we firmly believe the right to vote is indeed sacred, we also understand how robust voter participation is central to truly democratic representation. Bringing West Virginia’s proven policies to Washington is a smart and sound move, and that’s exactly what Sen. Manchin is doing by ensuring every state is empowered to provide 15 days of early voting and automatically registering voters via secure online systems.
Unfortunately, the challenges faced by our democracy do not end with ballot access. Sen. Manchin has long been a vocal critic of partisan party gridlock that has befallen and paralyzed our nation as a result of the polarized and partisan districting process. Our friend’s plan to rid our system of partisan gerrymandering by establishing neutral standards and anti-discrimination policies is absolutely critical for the restoration of an equitable and representative democracy.
As important as the ballot access and anti-gerrymandering policies included in the Freedom to Vote Act are for voters, the anti-corruption and campaign finance provisions of the legislation should not and cannot be ignored. Clamping down on illicit super political action committees’ candidate coordination, finally ending the influence of out-of-touch and out-of-state billionaires on our elections and shoring up the security of election infrastructure are crucially important components of this legislation.
The unwarranted skepticism around this bill, including from some of our elected local, state and national representatives, has not been surprising. However, that does not make it any less frustrating and aggravating.
All too often, partisan driven obstructionists are quick to say “no” without understanding how this and other associated legislative proposals will actually help their constituents. To be abundantly clear, the Freedom to Vote Act will not solely benefit America’s voters.
The legislation includes a new “State Democracy Promotion Program,” which would give state officials, including secretaries of state, the discretion to use funding as they deem necessary. This could translate into updating voter registration systems, securing voting locations, promoting cybersecurity and ensuring election administration is adequately funded.
The bottom line is simply this: The Freedom to Vote Act brings the very best of West Virginia’s election values and policies to Washington and represents a crucial compromise on voting rights and campaign reform.
Sen. Manchin, has time after time proven his unwavering commitment to the many fine peoples of West Virginia. He has once again demonstrated his allegiance by putting forward a once-in-a-generational bill that lawmakers across the political spectrum can and should support. It is now time for his colleagues to join him in this important effort, and it is time for all West Virginians to dedicate the full sum of our support to Sen. Manchin and this essential and important legislation.
Charlene Marshall is a former West Virginia delegate from Morgantown. Clif Moore is a former delegate from McDowell County, residing in Charleston.
