Featuring:
U.S. Representative David Price
U.S. Representative G. K. Butterfield
U.S. Representative Alma Adams
North Carolina State Senator Jay Chaudhuri
Marcus Bass, Executive Director of NC Black Alliance
Tomas Lopez, Executive Director of Democracy North Carolina
Bob Phillips, Executive Director of Common Cause NC
Melissa Price Kromm, Director of North Carolina Voters for Clean Elections

Speakers:
US Representative Sanford Bishop, D-GA-2
Georgia State Rep. Bee Nguyen, D-89
Georgia State Rep. Park Cannon, D-58
Georgia State Sen. Harold Jones, D-22
Cindy Battles, Program Coordinator, Common Cause Georgia
Wanda Mosley, Senior State Coordinator, Georgia, Black Voters Matter
Esther Lim, Organizing and Civic Engagement Director, Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Atlanta
Umer Rupani, Executive Director, Georgia Muslim Voter Project
Susannah Scott, President, League of Women Voters of Georgia
Aklima Khondoker, Georgia State Director, All Voting is Local

This year’s election is the most consequential of our lifetimes – yet Americans face historic barriers to voting. Join the Declaration for American Democracy on Wednesday, October 7th to learn ways to fight back against these obstacles, make a plan to vote, and make your voice heard.

From 7-8pm EST we will hear from election protection experts who will provide you with the necessary tools to vote safely this year.

Then, from 8-9pm EST we will hold a *couch-party* where partners from When We All Vote will lead participants in a textathon to text 500,000 Americans make a plan to vote.

During this event we’ll hear from Rep. John Sarbanes on the transformative “For the People Act” (HR1) and how it can transform our democracy, and make the case for why the next administration must make democracy reform a first priority on day one.

A true democracy is one in which the people choose the representatives who make the critical policy decisions that guide the direction of our country and communities. A democracy requires that its cornerstones, from a free press to our right to protest to access to justice, to our right to free speech, remain intact. It requires that our basic human and civil rights be protected under the law, where no concentration of power is allowed to threaten the people’s rights.

A Democracy for the People must ensure every eligible voter can participate in our elections without barriers, confusion, or intimidation. Our electoral system must be designed to ensure all voices are heard. We must eliminate discriminatory voter suppression policies, realize fair representation through enfranchisement and fair districting, and enact national standards for our elections to ensure every eligible voter can easily cast their ballot and trust that their vote will be accurately counted.

A Democracy for the People serves all of us, rather than the self-interests of those who govern. This requires government transparency and binding rules for Congress, the President, and the courts to root out conflicts of interest. In addition to oversight, we must have enforcement mechanisms to hold individuals accountable – regardless of who they are or what position they hold. Our democracy requires comprehensive safeguards that prevent self-dealing and ensure no one in power, whether a President, judge, or Member of Congress, can use public office to advance their own personal or financial interests.

A Democracy for the People responds to the needs of people and their communities. The voices of the people should not be drowned out by billionaires or corporate interests who use their wealth to buy access, curry favor, and shape policy and elections. We must root out the corrosive influence of big money in politics and address the various ways special interests work to influence Members of Congress and government officials – whether through campaign cash or funding pet projects. A true democracy amplifies community voices and makes it possible for everyday people to run for office.

A Democracy For the People depends on a system of checks and balances. We must add safeguards and accountability mechanisms to prevent government overreach and to reinforce the powers allocated to each branch of government by our Constitution. We must stop abuse of power from the executive branch and ensure other branches have sufficient means to hold an administration accountable. This includes putting protections in place to ensure nonpartisan civil servants can do their jobs as mandated by Congress without purges or politicization, and preventing the weaponization of independent government agencies. The courts must pursue equal justice under the law, not partisan political agendas. Whether a president, a judge, a member of Congress, a CEO, or anyone else, no one is above the law.