Issue Position: Democracy

Issue Position

Protecting the Right to Vote

In 2011 I was on the frontlines of an unprecedented attack on Mainers' voting rights -- an attack that continues across the nation today. I led a successful coalition effort to defeat voter ID at the state level -- twice. When Republican Gov. Paul LePage and his Republican allies in the state legislature eliminated same-day voter registration, I co-chaired the successful Protect Maine Votes referendum campaign to restore Mainers' voting rights. The right to vote is fundamental to our democracy. As a senator I will always work to advance and defend voting rights. I will advocate for a nationwide Election Day registration program. We need to restore the protections of the Voting Rights Act, modernize our voter registration systems, prohibit voter caging and voter intimidation, and make it easier for all Americans to vote.

Getting Money Out of Politics

Upholding our democracy means more than protecting the vote -- it means getting big money out of politics once and for all. Maine's clean elections system has been an incredible catalyst for people from all walks of life to participate in government. Our state legislature, which includes farmers, small business owners, teachers and mill workers, is far more representative of the general public than Congress, where more than half the members are millionaires. The opportunity to serve in public office should never be limited to the wealthy few.

That's why I support campaign finance reform and public funding of federal elections. I support small donor public financing based on the Brennan Center model and the immediate overturning of the disastrous Citizens United Supreme Court decision. Corporations are not people, and we must work together to limit the influence of big money in our elections and restore grassroots democracy.

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