Sustaining Our Democracy Act
Summary
The Sustaining Our Democracy Act aims to establish a Democracy Advancement and Innovation Program. This program would allocate funds to states to improve election administration, enhance cybersecurity, and increase voter access, particularly for underserved communities. The Act also establishes a State Election Assistance and Innovation Trust Fund and an Office of Democracy Advancement and Innovation to oversee the program.
Expected Effects
The Act is likely to lead to modernization of election infrastructure and increased voter participation. It could also standardize election procedures across states. The establishment of the Office of Democracy Advancement and Innovation could lead to increased federal oversight of state elections.
Potential Benefits
- Improved election administration through upgrades to voting equipment and voter registration systems.
- Increased voter access, especially for underserved communities, individuals with disabilities, and racial and language minority groups.
- Enhanced cybersecurity measures to protect election infrastructure.
- Recruitment, training, and retention of nonpartisan election officials and poll workers.
- Protection of election officials from threats and intimidation.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for federal overreach into state election administration, raising concerns about states' rights.
- Risk of partisan disputes over the allocation and use of funds.
- Possible inefficiencies or bureaucratic hurdles in the administration of the program by the Office of Democracy Advancement and Innovation.
- Concerns about the reliability and security of voter-verifiable paper ballots marked through the use of a non-tabulating ballot marking device or system.
- Potential for increased litigation related to the implementation and enforcement of the Act.
Constitutional Alignment
The Act's focus on election administration falls under the purview of state authority, as outlined in Article I, Section 4, which grants states the power to prescribe the times, places, and manner of holding elections for Senators and Representatives, but reserves Congress's right to alter such regulations. The Act's provisions aimed at preventing voter intimidation and ensuring equal access to voting align with the 14th and 15th Amendments, which guarantee equal protection under the law and prohibit denying or abridging the right to vote based on race or previous condition of servitude. However, some may argue that the Act's establishment of federal oversight mechanisms infringes upon states' rights to manage their own elections, potentially raising federalism concerns.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).