1. United States
2. Maine
3. Letter

As we saw during the January 6th insurrection and subsequently with Trump's frequent verbal attacks on our electoral system, he will stop at nothing to interfere in our fair and free elections. I do not believe we are now safe from further illegal election interference or overthrow attempts by Trump and his allies. Nor do I see that enough had been done to game out possible future dangers. We are lucky that elections are managed by the states. I ask all my state electeds to consider the 7 measures advocated by Marc Elias of Democracy Docket. These seven measures are the things states need to do to protect fair access to protect our elections. They are-- (quoting from here https://www.democracydocket.com/opinion/seven-voting-laws-every-blue-state-should-enact-right-now/) 1. Enact a statutory right to vote for every eligible citizen. This may surprise you, but there is no general federal constitutional right to vote. While state constitutions typically include greater explicit protection, too often these rights are ill-defined or have been limited by past legal precedent. 2.. Ban signature matching of mail-in ballots. Too many states use the junk science of signature matching to “validate” returned mail-in ballots. 3.3. Count all ballots postmarked by Election Day. States should count ballots mailed before or on Election Day, even if they arrive at the election office a few days later due to postal delays. Nineteen states already have such laws, and every state with Democratic majorities should enact its own grace-period law. 4.Guarantee voters they will not have to wait more than 30 minutes in line. Long voting lines are a scourge in our election system. They disproportionately penalize voters who can least afford time off work. They can dissuade voters from turning out and create a negative experience that affects future participation. Every blue state should guarantee that voters can cast a ballot in person without waiting more than 30 minutes. 5. . Ban third-party voter challenges and other forms of vigilantism. No one should have their registration or right to vote challenged by a random stranger they do not know and have never met. Yet that is what is happening in too many places. Republicans have built private voter databases used to encourage third-party activists and election vigilantes to submit spreadsheets of voters they want removed from the rolls or hassled at polling places. This practice should be banned and outlawed. 6.6. Provide criminal and civil remedies for voter intimidation. With each passing election, we see new forms of voter intimidation. Direct threats against individuals and groups are rising. Online harassment is at record levels. Videotaping citizens dropping off ballots or entering polling locations has become more routine. States need new laws that provide stronger protections against voter harassment and intimidation. These laws must allow for prompt civil and criminal remedies and cover a broad range of threats. Federal laws are not enough. 7.7. Revise and strengthen election-certification laws. We have all become familiar with the pageantry of democracy that takes place after federal elections. Local officials send results to counties, counties review and certify them to the states, and governors and secretaries of state certify them to Congress. Unfortunately, what was once a process that strengthened confidence has been weaponized. Local election offices are increasingly filled with election deniers. County canvassing boards are being pressured to refuse to certify accurate results. States must revise their certification process to make it harder to subvert. Please can you reply to let me know which of these protections are now in place and what you will do to legislate to bring in those not yet in effect. As we approach the 250th year since 1776, our elections and our democracy are in extreme peril. State level protections are urgently needed. Please so all you can to implement these measures.