Justin Amash Introduces Bill That Eliminates Straight-Ticket Voting

image
Created: 15 Mar, 2019
Updated: 15 Aug, 2022
1 min read

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA - US Rep. Justin Amash has introduced a bill that seeks to level the playing field for all candidates running for Congress.

The bill requires states to impose the same ballot access requirements on all candidates, regardless of party nomination status or affiliation. It also eliminates straight-ticket voting for congressional elections.

"Laws should not advantage particular political parties or discriminate against candidates who choose not to affiliate with a party,” Amash said. “'The Ballot Fairness Act' helps equalize the treatment of candidates so elections will be fairer and voters will have more options.”

The bill leaves it up to the states to decide how to level the ballot access requirements, whether that means a nonpartisan primary system for all candidates or new signature requirements for party-nominated candidates.

It is important to note that the constitution gives states the authority to decide how their elections are conducted. So if the bill manages to pass both chambers of Congress and is signed into law by President Trump, it seems likely a lawsuit will be filed to challenge the bill.

Still, it raises an important issue: Shouldn't elections treat everyone involved fairly and equally?

Check out the complete bill here:

Photo Credit: Gage Skidmore

More Choice for San Diego

Latest articles

voters at the ballot box.
Advocates Push for Reform to Stop Partisan Manipulation of Ballot Measures
An Election Reformers Network (ERN) report covering a 13-year period has found that state lawmakers and elected officials are increasingly manipulating the ballot initiative process to block or impede citizen-led efforts. ...
04 Feb, 2025
-
3 min read
Go vote posters.
Virginia Senate Advances Bill to Expand Ranked Choice Voting in Local Elections
The Virginia Senate approved a bill Monday that would expand the authority of local governments to conduct elections using ranked choice voting (RCV). The bill (SB1009) grants cities, counties, and towns the ability to implement RCV for all elections....
04 Feb, 2025
-
2 min read
USAID
What Is USAID and Can the President Abolish It?
The head offices of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) were closed Monday after staffers were told by email not to come to work. It is the latest move in the Trump administration's plan to shut down the agency....
03 Feb, 2025
-
5 min read