Fair Elections
If there is one thing all Republicans can agree on, it's that their positions on most issues are at odds with the majority of the electorate. They understand that in order to remain in power, they must adhere to two rules: First, maintain a financial advantage. Cater to large corporations, no matter how detrimental their operations are to the public, by cutting corporate taxes and relaxing regulations meant to protect consumers like you. And cater to the wealthiest individuals by passing tax cuts that starve essential services we depend on. Second, and most importantly, Republicans know that their chances of victory increase when voter turnout decreases. Unfortunately, their efforts to reduce turnout represent a direct threat to our democracy.
Partisan Gerrymandering
PARTISAN GERRYMANDERING
Voting districts are drawn every ten years to coincide with the national census. In most states, redistricting is done by the party in power. The potential for abuse is obvious and well documented in states across the country, especially right here in North Carolina where a court described the state's previous redistricting as "extreme".
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However, that's changing as many states have elected to have districts drawn either by a bipartisan commission or a panel of nonpartisans appointed by the governor.
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If elected, I will support legislation that will end, once and for all, partisan gerrymandering in our state.
Vote By Mail
VOTE BY MAIL
If there is a silver lining to the suffering we have all experienced due to the pandemic, it is that we may change the way we vote in a way that will be safer and increase voter participation. And we all know what that means to Republicans who thrive on low voter turnout.
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In most states, voting by mail is limited to absentee ballots that are meant to allow those who may be away from home to cast their vote. In places like North Carolina, obtaining an absentee ballot is a cumbersome process. Some states have moved to a vote-by-mail systems that still provide in-person voting to those who, for some reason, are unable to cast a vote any other way. The results have been impressive and voter participation has increased dramatically.
One Person One Vote
ONE PERSON - ONE VOTE
In 2016, Donald Trump won the electoral college despite losing the election by more than 3 million votes. It has been determined that in 2020, Trump could be reelected even if he loses by 6 million votes. As more and more Americans move to large metropolitan areas, states with smaller populations are gaining a greater advantage thanks to an antiquated electoral college system. As an extreme example, a vote in Wyoming is equal to 80 votes in California.
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Smaller states understand this and therefore the chance that the electoral college can be eliminated via constitutional amendment is slim. However, there is a movement that NC can join called the Interstate Compact, which I support, that would result in fair, one person, one vote elections.
How does this effect you?
We have seen too many examples of Republican voter suppression in North Carolina. If the past is any indication, opposition by Republican legislators to vote-by-mail is almost certain to occur and will threaten our rights and our democracy. When, for example, 77% of Americans favor universal background checks for gun purchases and their wishes are ignored by their representatives, you know something's wrong. Rather than having to maneuver through obstacles to voter access, we need a system that clears the path for all North Carolina citizens to participate in the democratic process.