Pro-democracy groups vow to keep fighting as losses mount
By Suzanne Potter
This story was originally published by Public News Service.
Good-government groups in Nevada are speaking out – criticizing recent events as a serious threat to democracy.
On Friday news leaked that in December 2020 the Trump White House considered but did not sign an executive order to have the National Guard seize voting machines. On Wednesday Senate Republicans shut down debate on the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act.
Las Vegas attorney Bradley Schrager, who specializes in political and electoral law, said this is no time to be complacent.
“It’s going to get much, much worse before it gets better,” said Schrager. “But all we can do is work as hard as we can. It’s always darkest before the dawn but let’s get through the darkness because it’s here. “
Also last week, Gov. Steve Sisolak called for action against members of the Republican party who filed false electoral documents, submitting a fake set of electors for former President Donald Trump to Congress and to the national archives, in Nevada and in 6 other states that he lost.
Emily Persaud-Zamora, executive director of Silver State Voices, said the issue of voting rights is foundational.
“No progress can be accomplished if we’re not prioritizing democracy,” said Persaud-Zamora. “And I think this conversation is finally getting people to see that.”
The Freedom to Vote Act would have given people in all 50 states some of the policies that Nevadans already enjoy: same-day voter registration, no-excuse mail-in balloting, extended early voting, and automatic restoration of voting rights to many formerly incarcerated individuals.
