Padilla: “Democracy Is Not A Spectator Sport”

U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) is taking a stand against attacks on free and fair elections. 

As Republicans in Congress try to jam through anti-voter laws, Padilla sat down with Democracy Docket founder Marc Elias to discuss protecting “the integrity of our elections” and “proactive ideas” to strengthen our democracy.

On Tuesday, Republicans tried to pass the SAVE Act with unanimous consent. If enacted, the SAVE Act would make it harder for eligible Americans to register to vote — particularly rural voters, members of the military, and women who have chosen to change their last name. 

“You’re making it inconvenient for some to show up in person, update their registration, and vote in the next election,” Padilla said. After Republicans tried to bring the item up without a hearing, Padilla objected along with his Democratic colleagues in the Senate. “I wasn’t going to let that happen. And I was proud to object to the effort, not just the first time, not just the second time, but on their third attempt. So we have to constantly be vigilant.”

Padilla believes if Democrats are united, the SAVE Act won’t “see the light of day.” He’s also combating their efforts with proposals like the Including New Voters In The Electorate (INVITE) Act, which would designate United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) field offices as voter registration agencies and require USCIS staff to help new U.S. citizens complete their voter registration. 

“I thought we learned that all in high school civics class that our democracy works best when as many eligible people participate. But of course, that positive idea is something that Republicans don’t want to do,” Padilla said.

Threats to free and fair elections aren’t just coming from Congress — they’re coming straight from the Oval Office as well. President Donald Trump’s unlawful anti-voter executive order is an illegal power grab to access state voter data, and Padilla is determined to push back. While courts are blocking the order as of right now, Padilla isn’t just sitting on his hands. He proactively introduced the Defending American Future Elections Act to “undo the executive order” and protect the privacy of American voters. 

While Padilla and Democrats in Congress are stepping up to take on Republican threats to voting rights, he also believes the American people have a powerful role to play in protecting our democracy.

“Even if it’s just showing up at your local city council or school board meeting and speaking up… organizing your family, organizing your neighbors. When more people get involved good things happen,” Padilla said. “Democracy is not a spectator sport.”