AMAC Opposes Yet Another Democrat Attempt to Federalize Our Elections

S. 4239 aligns with other failed attempts by the Democrats to federalize our elections and further divide us.

June 10, 2020
The Honorable Mitch McConnell
Senate Republican Minority Leader
S-230, The Capitol
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Leader McConnell,

On behalf of the 2.3 million members of AMAC – the Association of Mature American Citizens, I write to
express our strong opposition to S.4239 the “Sustaining Our Democracy Act”.

The overarching theme of this legislation indicates that state governments would be required to cede
management of their election processes from duly elected state governance to an unelected federal
body through a federally defined state election plan. Should a sovereign state choose not to implement
a plan, there is a provision to circumvent state government by considering its political sub-divisions (i.e.
counties or boroughs) as equal to state governments. This is tantamount to dividing a state, which is
prohibited under Article V of the United States Constitution.

If a state chooses to submit a plan, it must be approved by an unelected director who cannot possibly
represent the entire constituency of the people of the United States of America, let alone any individual
state.

This kind of management model, with respect to voting restrictions, has been struck down by the
Supreme Court in Shelby County vs. Holder. A case in which the Supreme Court decided that states are
not subject to pre-clearance by the Federal government with respect to the management of their
election plans. Approval of a state plan before an election is equivalent to a pre-clearance.

Finally, considering the 10th Amendment to the Constitution, the conduct of elections proposed in this
bill, with the specificity required, far exceeds the guidance enumerated to the Federal government as
intended by the Founders.

AMAC humbly asks you, Leader McConnell, to honor states’ sovereignty and lead your colleagues in
opposing this bill for the good of our nation and the integrity of our election process.

Sincerely,
Bob Carlstrom
President
AMAC Action