Five Voting Laws Needed To Protect Democracy - By Marc Elias, elections lawyer extraordinaire [View all]

[diva77]

https://www.democracydocket.com/opinion/five-voting-laws-needed-to-protect-democracy/

By Marc Elias
February 8, 2023

Thanks to a strong showing in 2022, Democrats gained full control over governments in 17 states. This is more so-called “trifectas” — when one party holds both chambers of the state legislature and the governorship — than Democrats have held since 1993. With the addition of Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan and Minnesota following the 2022 elections, more Americans now live in states entirely controlled by Democrats than by Republicans.

If there is one thing we know from history, it is that power can be fleeting. Just a few years ago, Democrats had full control over Virginia’s government, while now the state has a Republican governor and state House. Republicans who controlled Arizona for years now face a Democratic governor.

As these 17 states begin their new legislative sessions, they will face a myriad of competing priorities for which progressive issues to address first.

My message to state Democratic leaders is simple: Use your power to expand voting rights and protect democracy. Make 2023 the year that every Democratic-controlled state enacts new laws to strengthen free and fair elections and increase voter access. Enact bold new proposals to transform your election systems while also fixing small nagging problems confronting voters.
SNIP

=========
Here are the 5 laws Marc Elias lists -- lots of details about them are in the article:

1. Ban voter challenges.
2. Prevent long voting lines.
3. Limit the role of partisan poll watchers.
4. Strengthen the vote counting and election certification process.
5. Require courts to prioritize protecting voting rights.