What We're Reading at Issue One
The congressional August recess is in full swing, but Issue One staff are steadfastly preparing for their return. While we work to keep the momentum of our advocacy work, celebrate a recent legislative win with us by checking out what we're reading:
It’s heartening to see that efforts to disrupt our democratic process are taken seriously as fake electorates have been indicted in several states. Despite this, election deniers and fake electorates continue to pump money into the presidential campaign. “In certain circles, association with the people who served as fake electors for Donald Trump in 2020 may be a badge of honor, says Issue One’s Research Director Michael Beckel.?
“Former President Trump likely has fewer qualms about accepting campaign cash from people under indictment for serving as fake electors in 2020 than the typical politician,” he added.
Recently the Senate voted 91-3 to advance the Kids Online Safety and Privacy Act. Our Council for Responsible Social Media (CRSM) applauded the overwhelming support behind the bill that would finally establish safer online spaces for American children. CRSM member Kristin Bride shared her support for the bill after losing her 16-year-old son to relentless cyberbullying. “I absolutely believe that my son would be alive if this legislation was in place at the time.”
Georgia Election Deniers Deliver for Trump – Democracy Docket
The Georgia State Election Board approved a measure that would in theory allow for delaying the certification of election results to allow for "reasonable inquiry.” Luckily, this contradicts with Georgia state law and will likely have no impact on the certification process. “The obligation of county boards to certify elections is mandatory and ministerial. Nothing in Georgia law permits individual members to interpose their own investigations or judgment into a largely ceremonial function involving basic math.” Efforts to obfuscate and confuse voters ahead of Election Day are completely unacceptable.
Majority Leader Shcumer is calling on his colleagues to vote on two AI bills that would ban or require disclosure of generated content in political advertising. As Election Day approaches and campaigning continues, the bipartisan bills would protect voters from deceptive and dishonest messaging. Despite both measures having bipartisan support, efforts have stalled in the Senate. We encourage Senator Schumer’s colleagues to advance the bills in September for the sake of a healthier information environment for voters.
Wanted: Poll workers. Must love democracy – Union-Bulletin
Democracy advocates celebrated Poll Worker Recruitment Day by asking members of their community to sign up to work the polls this year. Signing up to be a poll worker is a great way to get to know your neighbors, protect our democracy, and learn more about the voting process. The election officials and poll workers that make up our Faces of Democracy campaign went on the record to share their appreciation for the critical work that poll workers do. Check out a bonus Faces of Democracy Q&A with Nevada poll worker Nedra Cooper.