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LEGISLATIVE UPDATES & ACTIONS

Dear Friend,

We are happy to announce that HB 1078 for Voting Rights Restoration PASSED the WA State Senate on March 24th! The bill will now go to Governor Inslee for signing. The new law will go into effect January 1, 2022, enabling persons the right to vote as soon as they are released from prison. Please thank your state senator and representatives who voted in favor for this important voting bill. Unfortunately, no other state democracy related bills passed or are moving forward this session.
 
At the national level, this past week, the For the People Act, S. 1 had its first Senate hearing on March 24th in the Senate Rules Committee. Next week, from April 5-9, is For The People Week of Action! More info and actions needed to help pass S. 1 below.
 

Washington State Democracy Legislation - FINAL STATUS

ESHB 1078 - Voting Rights Restoration:  Restores voting rights to formerly incarcerated persons as soon as they are released from prison.

CURRENT STATUS: The bill has now PASSED both the State House of Representatives and the Senate! It will now go to the Governor's desk for signing. The law will take effect on January 1, 2022.

Action Requested: If your State Representatives or State Senator voted YES on this bill, please thank them for their commitment to voting rights restoration!

SSB 5148 - Harassment of Election Officials:  Elevates election official harassment to a Class C felony.

 

CURRENT STATUS: The bill did pass the State Senate, 46 to 2. It had a public hearing in the House Committee on Public Safety on March 19th, and was scheduled for executive action on March 25, but NO ACTION was taken to move the bill forward. March 26th was the deadline for bill to pass out of committee, so the bill will not move forward this session.

 

National Democracy Legislation

The For the People Act, S.1 now in the U.S. Senate!

For the People Act: 

Clean & Fair Elections
• Improves Voting Access
• Protects the Ballot
• Promotes Integrity
• Ensures Security
• Ends Gerrymandering
Addresses Big Money in Elections
• Guarantees Disclosure
• Empowers Small Donors
• Contribution Limits
• Strengthens Oversight
Fights Corruption
• Fortifies Ethics Law
• Greater Enforcement & 
  Accountability

CURRENT STATUS: The For the People Act, S.1, was introduced in the U.S. Senate on March 17th. It had its first hearing in the Senate Rules Committee on March 24th. You can watch a recording of that hearing HERE. 

HAPPENING NEXT WEEK, April 5-9, 2021: 

For the People Week of Action

The Declaration for American Democracy coalition will celebrate the week of April 5th - April 9th as the For the People Week of Action with a series of activist mobilizations and events to mark the introduction of S1 and to demonstrate broad public support for these reforms. RSVP to Attend & Receive Updates HERE!

Events for the week of action include:

  • Demand Democracy local actions
  • In-district virtual meetings with Senators
  • Democracy Teach-Ins
  • Daily Themed Social Media 

OTHER ACTIONS! 

1. Sign this Petition to Demand the Senate Pass the For the People Act HERE.

2. Call Your Senator at (202) 224-3121 or
Contact Washington Senators directly at:
Maria Cantwell - (202) 224-3441
Patty Murray - (202) 224-2621
 

3. Write a Letter to the Editor HERE.

4. Set up a Virtual Lobby Visit HERE.

Sign up to get regular updates on the bill from our Declaration for American Democracy coalition.
 
Check out the Brennan Center's Annotated Guide to the For the People Act.
 
View the latest state and national democracy bills at:
 
Please support our work and DONATE today!

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Fix Democracy First
1402 3rd Ave Ste 500
Seattle, Washington 98101
(206) 552-3287
info@fixdemocracyfirst.org

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