Press Releases
03/02/2021
Secretary Merrill Joins 12 Secretaries of State in Supporting H.R. 1 the For the People Act
The For the People Act aims to increase voters’ access to the ballot box, take big money out of politics, and fight corruption in public office
HARTFORD – Connecticut Secretary of the State Denise Merrill this week joined 12 Secretaries of State from across the country to express their support of H.R. 1, the For the People Act. The For the People Act aims to increase voters’ access to the ballot box, take big money out of politics, and fight corruption in public office.
Regardless of our party affiliation, race, or age, Connecticut voters believe that a democracy that works for all of us must include all of us. The For the People Act will ensure fair elections where all citizens are able to make their voices heard so that voters can pick their leaders instead of politicians choosing their voters.
The story of our democracy is one of fighting to ensure that every American can cast their ballot and have it counted. The For the People Act will give voters the option of conveniently voting before Election Day, remove barriers to registering to vote, and protect the accuracy and integrity of our elections.
It also will fight corruption by reducing the influence of big money donors through public election financing, require transparency and disclosure of political giving and spending, and end partisan gerrymandering – all popular, common-sense reforms that are already successful for us in Connecticut.
- Connecticut Secretary of the State Denise Merrill
The letter, which was sent the leadership of both caucuses of the United States House and Senate, stated the following:
The For The People Act offers a comprehensive path to securing and modernizing American democracy for generations to come. The bill provides clear guidance for all 50 states and the District of Columbia to implement election processes that work for administrators and voters alike, and its adoption into law is critical to the future of American elections. Proven policies such as automatic and same-day voter registration will remove administrative obstacles for eligible voters while maintaining up-to-date and accurate voter rolls. Voter-verified paper ballots will ensure every vote is accurately recorded and allow administrators to run key audits to verify election results. Other provisions, such as independent redistricting commissions to combat gerrymandering and shining light on dark money, will further strengthen the integrity of our elections.
As the chief elections officials in our respective states, and as the administrators who will be tasked with executing many of the policies proposed in H.R. 1, we can confidently state that this bill is designed to make our democracy stronger and safer than ever. We proudly and firmly support the For The People Act, and we strongly recommend its passage in the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate.
Connecticut Secretary of the State Denise Merrill was joined in signing the letter by Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, California Secretary of State Shirley Weber, Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold, Secretary of the District of Columbia Kimberly Bassett, Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon, New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver, Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan, Rhode Island Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea, and Vermont Secretary of State Jim Condos.
The letter is attached and will be available here: https://portal.ct.gov/SOTS/Press-Releases/2021-Press-Releases.
###
- Twitter: Secretary of State on Twitter
- Facebook: Secretary of State on Facebook