Senator Joe Manchin Says He Will Not Support Federal Takeover of Elections
The centrist Democrat said that the bill will only further divide the country.
West Virginia Democrat Senator Joe Manchin said he will oppose attempts by his fellow Democrats to give almost complete federal control over elections.
A number of media outlets published biased accounts of Manchin’s opposition to H.R. 1, so we will not be linking to them. Instead, we trust you to make your own judgment -- you can read his full op-ed here.
The legislation is also called the “For the People Act,” but conservatives like Ted Cruz have called it the “Corrupt Politicians Act.”
As a former secretary of state for West Virginia, Manchin said he understands the role that states and localities play in administering fair and free elections.
“During my time as West Virginia’s secretary of state, I was determined to protect this right and ensure our elections are fair, accessible and secure,” Manchin wrote. “Not to benefit my party but all the people of West Virginia.”
He said that the current legislation would make things worse.
Manchin wrote, “congressional action on federal voting rights legislation must be the result of both Democrats and Republicans coming together to find a pathway forward or we risk further dividing and destroying the republic we swore to protect and defend as elected officials.”
He added, “voting and election reform that is done in a partisan manner will all but ensure partisan divisions continue to deepen.”
Do you think Manchin should become a Republican? Do you think he will be ostracized by his party for standing up for his beliefs?