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Official Statement on Moore v. Harper and Our Commitment to the Power of the Individual Voter
Yesterday, in a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court protected the system of checks and balances that is foundational to our democracy. This ruling acknowledges the critical role state judiciaries play in upholding voters’ constitutional rights. It reinforces that the legislature cannot grant itself exclusive control over federal elections, especially at the expense of voters. As the members and leaders of Mormon Women for Ethical Government, we are relieved that the court rejected the state legislature’s claim to unchecked influence over federal elections. In Moore v. Harper, the Court relied on 200 years of precedent, determining that state legislatures do not have sole authority over federal elections. Instead, they are subject…
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Voter Registration Flow Chart
This year will be marked by the midterm elections. While these are often overlooked or dismissed as unimportant, they are likely more consequential in our daily lives than other elections. Midterms focus more on our representation at state and local levels. We believe electoral systems should be structured to maximize the greatest participation, but no matter how robust the process is, it is meaningless without participation. The first step to participating in the electoral process is to be registered to vote. Depending on where you live, this may be a simple process that can be completed online, or it may require gathering identifying information and submitting your registration in person…
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Arizona Call to Action: Ask Sen. Sinema to Continue to Champion Voting Rights by Ensuring That Procedural Changes Allow Voting Legislation
The Senate majority leader has indicated that there will be a cloture vote on the Freedom to Vote Act (FTVA) and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (JLVRAA) this month. If these votes to open discussion on the bills are overcome by the filibuster, he has promised there will be talks about procedural changes in the Senate, including a conversation on adjusting the filibuster to allow important issues of the day to be debated. The filibuster can be used to protect the voice of the minority and to force meaningful dialogue on issues presented to the Senate. However, it also has a less noble history as a tool to…
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Call to Action: Ask Your Senator to Bring the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to Debate
Without protected voting rights for every eligible American, it is impossible to have a government that is truly representative of and accountable to the people. To this end, H.R.4, the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021 (VRAA), was designed to protect the right to vote for Americans who experience voting discrimination on the basis of race, color, or language minority membership. It amends the Voting Rights Act (VRA) of 1965 by strengthening its power to protect voting rights and updating its requirements to be specific to the modern context of voting discrimination. The bill was passed in the House strictly along party lines. It now goes before…
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Everyone Deserves the Freedom to Vote
Our country is facing a difficult moment, where it is important to reaffirm our commitment to the core principles of democracy, including representation, equality, and freedom. Legislation upholding our voting freedoms is necessary, but S1, the For the People Act, failed to pass earlier this year. This occurred despite the wide bipartisan support among voters for federal protection of voter rights. Republican senators refused to engage with S1, citing concerns that its scope was too broad. In response, Senate Democrats developed the Freedom to Vote Act (FTVA), initiated by Senator Manchin. The FTVA legislation contains three main divisions: voter access, election integrity, and civic participation and empowerment (which includes redistricting…
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MWEG’s March on Utah
Thousands rallied today in Washington, DC, and around the country to march for voting rights, and MWEG Utah leaders Melarie Wheat and Elizabeth Vanderwerken spoke at the Utah event. They explained what is at stake, why our voices matter in this fight, and how we can protect this most basic democratic right. Read the full text of their speech below, or watch the video here. Civil rights activist and Black voting rights champion Amelia Boynton Robinson was a key figure in the 1965 Selma to Montgomery marches. On “Bloody Sunday” she was beaten by police on the Edmund Pettus Bridge, and photos of her lying bleeding and unconscious drew national…
