This supposed to be a local blog focused on local issues, but Democrats want to Federalize elections. If the Federal Government runs everything, what is the point of focusing on local issues?

Here are the House’s and the Senate’s versions of the bill.

• Related Bills – H.R.1 – 117th Congress (2021-2022): For the People Act of 2021 | Congress.gov | Library of Congress: This is an update to the 2019 version.
• SIMPLE-SECTION-BY-SECTION_S.-11.pdf (senate.gov): This seem to be a draft.

Are these bills something the Federal Government should be passing? No. The Constitution of the United States: A Transcription | National Archives gives the legislature of each state authority for running Federal elections, and it says nothing about local elections. When our leaders start unconstitutionally sticking their noses into how they are elected, that should alarm us. Have we not already seen what happens when people don’t trust the results of an election?

Even in blue states the people of those states have more leverage on state officials than they do Federal Officials. If we want to increase the integrity of our elections, we have to fight for it at the state level, and we have to force our elected Federal officials to stop trying to run everything. When they are not doing what they are supposed to do well, why would we want them in charge of everything?

What can you do? The American Family Association (AFA.net – Home) has an online petition against the For The People Act, AFA.net – Contact Officials. Based upon the same bill as submitted in 2019, here is additional information, The Facts About H.R. 1—the For the People Act of 2019 | The Heritage Foundation.

Still dubious about doing anything? Here are some additional articles.

• Democrats’ ‘For the People Act’ Is the Opposite of What the People Want (pjmedia.com)
• Pro-life group says campaign finance bill could unfairly limit their speech – Catholic World Report
• Rep. Darrell Issa to Newsmax TV: Dems’ ‘For the People Act’ Could Promote Voter Fraud | Newsmax.com
• House Dems revive ‘For The People Act’ aimed at ‘voter suppression,’ ‘dark money,’ and gerrymandering | Fox News

Still not enough to get you mad? Here is the beginning of the House bill.

SEC. 3. FINDINGS OF GENERAL CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY.

Congress finds that the Constitution of the United States grants explicit and broad authority to protect the right to vote, to regulate elections for Federal office, and to defend the Nation’s democratic process. Congress enacts the “For the People Act of 2021” pursuant to this broad authority, including but not limited to the following:

Text – H.R.1 – 117th Congress (2021-2022): For the People Act of 2021 | Congress.gov | Library of Congress

As some have already observed, H.R1. begins with an outright lie.

“Like most revolutionary documents, it’s not a very exciting read — nothing sounds especially radical at first. The bill begins by declaring that — contrary to Article I of the United States Constitution — Congress has an “ultimate supervisory power over federal elections.”

Carlson noted that under the constitution, handling of elections is largely left to the states, but that the Democrats’ bill would essentially nationalize what he called the Californian election system.

Tucker: Democrats’ sweeping ‘For The People Act’ would ‘enshrine fraud,’ as lawmakers seek to stifle dissent | Fox News

Here is a link to the Constitution, The Constitution of the United States: A Transcription | National Archives

Search the Constitution using the word “elect”. You will find what Tucker Carlson says is true. Do any of us want Congress to pass a bill that begins with a lie? Here is the key paragraph.

The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Places of chusing Senators.

The Constitution of the United States: A Transcription | National Archives – Article 1, Section 4

Congress is not merely making or altering “such Regulations”. Congress is not trying to fix a problem that requires its intervention. With H.R. 1, Congress is completely taking over a function that the Constitution clearly gives to state legislatures.

The Constitution was designed to create checks and balances. If the Federal Government takes over how we hold elections, especially if it makes the results of our elections even less believable by reducing or eliminating rules that ensure the integrity of our elections, that is eliminates yet another check on the power of the Federal Government. Effectively, well heeled candidates would buy the votes they need.

Our elected Federal Officials are already almost impossible to replace. That is why almost everyone supports term limits. This bill protects incumbents, and that is the point of it.