Democrats’ Gameplan for 2022 Cycle Must Keep Anti-Corruption and Voting Rights Front and Center
The 2022 elections officially began on Tuesday with the Democratic and Republican primaries kicking off in Texas. As Democrats make their cases with voters, it will be important to put anti-corruption and voting rights issues front and center. Republicans in Congress made it clear that they stand with the growing anti-democratic movement within their party. That means protecting dark money and gerrymandering, putting up barriers to voting — particularly in communities of color–and supporting attempts to sabotage or overturn elections.
By blocking the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act, Senate Republicans protected the broken and loathed system in Washington that works for big donors and corporate special interests, while leaving everyone else behind.
Americans from across political parties are fed up by corporate special interest control of our democracy, because they feel its impact. Whether it’s rising prescription drug prices or watching corporations get big handouts and rake in profits during a pandemic while small business owners are ignored and struggle to stay open, Americans know something is fundamentally wrong. They know the system is rigged against them.
As it has done before, the Democratic Party can channel that frustration and draw a clear distinction for voters about who is on their side.
The vote that failed in the Senate should be a weight for every Republican seeking reelection and an opportunity for Democrats to clearly communicate to voters their choice in 2022.
While Democrats are fighting to strengthen anti-corruption laws, end dark money, protect the freedom to vote, and ensure Congress is working for the people, Republicans have become extremists, listening to corporate and partisan special interests, voting against anti-corruption legislation, pushing for more dark money, and protecting the rigged status quo that even allows members of Congress to trade stocks, despite privileged access to sensitive information and clear conflicts of interest.
A strong 2022 anti-corruption and pro-democracy platform can make the case to voters that Democrats are on their side and are working to give power to the people.
This should include ending dark money. Americans want less money and more transparency in elections. Mitch McConnell and his Republicans want the opposite. They’ve spent more than a decade blocking the DISCLOSE Act, despite the fact that 85% of registered voters support requiring all super PACs and “dark money” groups to make their donors public.
It should include banning lawmakers from trading stocks. Nearly 70% of voters support a ban. It would increase transparency, hold elected officials accountable and prevent the practice or appearance of public officials using their position for financial gain, which has sown distrust in government.
It should include cracking down on corporate PACs. Corporations already have enough access and influence in Washington and voters know it. They understand that the amount of money in politics is preventing progress on important issues. Rejecting corporate PAC money sends a message to voters that a candidate is putting the interests of people first. It is good policy and good politics.
And Democrats must continue to fight to ensure every American has the freedom to vote and to have their vote counted. A majority of Americans support voting rights and protecting our free and fair elections, with two-thirds supporting measures to prevent state lawmakers from overturning election results.
Some Democrats are already taking the lead in making anti-corruption and voting rights a central platform. Senators Kelly and Ossoff introduced legislation to ban corporate PACs, and prevent members of Congress from trading stocks. Reps. Jared Golden and Josh Harder have a similar bill to ban corporate PACs, and Senator Warnock is taking on corporate greed that is contributing to inflation while leading the charge on protecting the freedom to vote.
They are listening to what the American people are clamoring for — a crackdown on the corrupt influence of corporate special interests and ensuring elected officials are accountable to the people.
Polling and research consistently shows that independents and swing voters are moved by an anti-corruption and voting rights agenda. And the Democratic base is motivated into action by this same platform. Meanwhile, the Republican party’s growing radicalization and extremism has become a liability for them with moderate and Independent voters.
If Democrats showcase their values and drive home what’s at stake in this election, voters will respond. Undoubtedly, Republicans will push more anti-voting laws and stand by dark money and corporate donors. This is the contrast Democrats need to own and should use to win this November.
Tiffany Muller is President of End Citizens United and Let America Vote
