Grace McRae, grace.mcrae@sierraclub.org
PHILADELPHIA -- This evening, President Biden addressed the ongoing threats to our democracy, including the “Big Lie” perpetuated by Donald Trump about the 2020 election results that has eroded public trust in our elections and democracy. President Biden’s prime-time address comes at a time when threats to democracy rank at the top of Americans’ concerns, according to recent polling.
The public’s concern and distrust are not unfounded. According to the Brennan Center, since the beginning of 2022, nine states have enacted election interference laws which predominantly target voters in low income and communities of color. These laws are on top of the well over 400 anti-democracy bills proposed by nearly every state in 2021.
Congress is currently considering two bills -- the Electoral Count Reform Act of 2022, which will close loopholes in the original Electoral Count Act of 1887 which Donald Trump tried to exploit on January 6, and the DISCLOSE Act, which will shine a brighter light on dark and currently-undisclosed money and its influence on our elections. While it is important that both pieces of legislation pass, neither would fully address the current threats to our democracy, which is why we still call on Congress to pass the Freedom to Vote Act and fully restore the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
In response, Sierra Club’s Democracy Campaign Representative Tishan Weerasooriya issued the following statement:
“The Sierra Club applauds President Biden for continuing to identify and denounce threats to our democracy, and for laying out a path forward to ensure that this country honors the will of the people by protecting free and fair elections. Since the January 6 insurrection, an unprecedented number of anti-voter and anti-democracy bills have been filed in nearly every state, rolling back common-sense voting protections and blocking everyday people from the ballot box.
"We know that our ability to tackle the climate crisis, advance environmental justice, and protect frontline communities from pollution all depend on a strong, well-functioning democracy where every eligible person has fair and equitable access to the ballot box. That’s why we need strong action now. With so much on the line, there is no time to waste.
“We call on both the House and Senate to take action to pass the legislation before them now -- the Electoral Count Reform Act of 2022 and the DISCLOSE Act. We must also not lose sight nor give up the fight to pass stronger legislation in the future, such as the Freedom to Vote Act and fully restoring the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Such action is critical to solidify the right of every voter to have their voice heard at the ballot box, regardless of their race, political affiliation, or zip code. We also call on President Biden to use every tool at his disposal, including signing additional executive orders, to help protect voting rights and our democracy.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.