Defend Democracy Team
“…from Protest To Policy.” Elijah Cummings.

We’ve defeated Trump. We’ve defeated his cronies. We won in Georgia and took the Senate. We’ve celebrated. Now, we have a short window to save our democracy. Getting it done depends on all of us, and this new Indivisible guide provides a blueprint.
TEAM MISSION and GOALS 2021
Defend the Democracy of the United States: In our country and throughout the world, democratic values are under assault. The Defend Democracy team is committed to educating ourselves and others about the challenges we face and promoting and participating in actions that support and defend democratic values.
Indivisible has joined the Declaration for American Democracy, a historic coalition of over 145 organizations representing millions of people nationwide. Our coalition includes groups from the labor, racial justice, faith, women’s rights, environmental, good government, and many other important communities. Formed in 2018, we set out on a mission to take back our democracy and restore power to the people. We believe that we must build a democracy where everyone participates, every vote is counted, and everyone’s voice is heard.
Support the goals of the For the People Act of 2019 (H.R. #1) at the federal and state levels, including:
• Ensuring clean and fair elections: improve access, promote integrity, ensure security
• Ending the dominance of big money in politics: guarantee disclosure, empower citizens, strengthen oversight
• Ensuring public officials work in the public interest: fortify ethics law, impose greater ethics enforcement
Support the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act (H.R. 4), to reverse the discriminatory practices and restrictive voting laws caused by the Shelby County v. Holder Supreme Court decision.
Support the Washington DC Admission Act (H.R. 51), for statehood of Washington DC
Continue to track and support important legislation at the federal, state and county levels, including – but not limited to-:
Federal
State
HB423 / SB271 – Election Law – Voting Systems – Accessibility for Voters with Disabilities
Testimony
HB0424 / SB415 Public Financing Act – Matching Fund Revisions (Maryland Fair Elections Act)
HB450/SB10 – Election Law – Polling Sites – Firearms Prohibilitions
HB493 – Election Law – Voting Locations – Accessibility by Public Transportation and Voters with Disabilities
Testimony
HB536/SB416 – Public Financing Act – State Senate and House of Delegates Candidates and Matching Fund Revisions
HB1047 – Mail-in Voting Enhancement Act
HB1048 – Election Law – Permanent Absentee Ballot ListCounty:
TBD
Actions include:
1. Lobbying legislators, attending/testifying at hearings, organizing rallies, etc.
2. Developing and publishing educational materials on issues such as: voters rights, election laws, election security, campaign finance, etc, on the Indivisible HoCo website.
3. Organizing educational sessions on the same issues
4. Participating in voter registration drives
5. Working closely with other grassroots organizations where appropriate, including other Indivisible HoCo teams, the Maryland Legislative Coalition, Common Cause, the League of Women Voters, ACLU-MD, etc.
Howard County Elections - Behind the Scenes
The series of short articles below give background that can help in evaluating legislation and candidate positions on issues. Please read and share these!
Fair Elections
National Popular Vote
A Solution to the Electoral College
Why we should abolish Electoral college
Electoral College presentation
Campaign Finance Reform
Congressional Findings in HR-1
The Case for Campaign Finance Reform
How citizens united reshaped elections
The 2010 Supreme Court decision further tilted political influence toward wealthy donors and corporations.
Public Financing Programs for Elections
A Brief History
Public Financing of Elections
A Case For and Against
Models for Public Financing of Elections
And How They Have Fared
Maryland Candidacy & Campaign Finance Laws
Summary Guide
Redistricting of Congressional and State Legislature Offices
Contact Us
If you wish to contact the Defend Democracy Action Team, please fill out the form below.