Barnes campaign: Releases policy plan for an accountable democracy

“For far too long, too many politicians have operated as if the rules don’t apply to them,” said Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor and U.S. Senate candidate Mandela Barnes. “It’s time to change the game and build a democracy that is accountable to the people. We need leaders who will prioritize the voters’ interests over special interests and deliver for the working families who are the backbone of our democracy.”

Here’s what they’re are saying: 

Associated Press: Senate candidate Barnes proposes expanding voter rights

• Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Mandela Barnes on Thursday proposed expanding voter rights, eliminating partisan gerrymandering, making Election Day a national holiday and ending the filibuster. […]

• “Make no mistake, our democracy is on the ballot in 2022, and we need a United States Senator who has a plan to make elected officials accountable to the voters, to stand up to the corrupting influence of dark money, and to ensure the rights of voters are protected across this country,” Barnes said in a statement.

• Barnes said he would support eliminating the filibuster rule in the Senate, which has led to the proposed John Lewis Voting Rights Act being stalled. Barnes supports the measure, which would restore parts of the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

• He also called for more disclosure of political spending, establishing online, same-day and automatic voter registration and amending the U.S. Constitution to reverse the U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizens United ruling that allows corporations and unions to spend as much as they want on political races.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Mandela Barnes in Senate bid calls for ending the filibuster and expanding voting rights

• Democratic Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes called Thursday for ending the filibuster, eliminating gerrymandering and expanding voting rights as part of his bid for U.S. Senate.

• “It’s time to deliver a clear message that America won’t allow those who would undermine our democracy to continue leading it,” Barnes said in a statement. […]

• Barnes said he backs the proposed John Lewis Voting Rights Act, which would restore parts of the 1965 Voting Rights Act that have been knocked down by the U.S. Supreme Court. […]

• ​​Barnes called for adopting an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to reverse the Citizens United ruling by the Supreme Court that allows corporations and unions to spend unlimited amounts in political races. Amending the Constitution is an arduous process that hasn’t happened in decades.

• In addition, Barnes said he backed legislation requiring more disclosure of political spending, banning partisan gerrymandering and establishing online voter registration, same-day voter registration and automatic voter registration. Wisconsin has online voter registration and same-day registration but not automatic registration.

The Hill: Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes releases first progressive policy plan in Senate race

• Wisconsin Democratic Senate candidate Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes released his first policy plan on Thursday, highlighting a number progressive proposals including the passage of a new voting rights act and calling for an end to the filibuster.

• “We’ve got to do more to protect our democracy in this country,” Barnes said in an interview with The Hill. “This entire year has shown just how fragile things are and how much more fragile things can be if we don’t act immediately.” […]

• Barnes vowed in his plan to fight for national redistricting reform in the Senate.

• In the plan, Barnes also calls for stopping big corporations and special interest groups from “buying political influence.” Barnes vowed that as senator he will push for a constitutional amendment that overturns the Supreme Court’s decision on the Citizens United case, which protects the rights of corporate and labor groups to spend money promoting federal candidates.