DEMOCRATIC Act of 2020

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE

SHORT TITLE –– This Act may be cited as “Demanding Exigent Mitigation on the Coronavirus’ Ramifications Amplifying the Indirect Civil-Suppression Act of 2020”, or the DEMOCRATIC Act of 2020.

April 18, 2020

SECTION 2. DEFINITIONS

“COVID-19” means the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, better known as the novel Coronavirus, and

“SOCIAL DISTANCING” means the physical separation and lifestyle adjustments as recommended by the CDC and defined in various ‘Shelter-in-Place’ orders by local leadership.

SECTION 3. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

RATIONALE –– The purpose of this act is to protect every American citizens’ right to access the ballot box. Given the uncertainty caused by COVID-19, it is difficult to predict when preventative treatment will be developed, when social distancing will expire, or whether there will be multiple waves of the disease. In the interest of public safety, it is essential that the states prepare to offer a way for eligible voters to cast their ballots remotely from their homes. Universalizing mail-in ballots for the 2020 elections is the best option to do so, and so the federal government must assist states without mail-in ballot systems to build up the necessary infrastructure.

EXPLANATION OF THIS ACT’s PROVISIONS ––

FUNDING –– This Act creates a federal Coronavirus Response Fund, managed by the Treasury Department. This Fund will have an initial investment of $6 billion, and subsequent investments into the fund can be made by Congress. This Fund is meant to centralize all aid and stimulus from the federal government.

OVERSIGHT OF MAIL-IN BALLOT IMPLEMENTATION–– This Act mandates that all states must have a mail-in ballot system in place, and of the scope and scale to encompass all voters. This will only be a requirement for the 2020 elections due to social distancing. The federal government will distribute categorical grants to states which need them after their respective Secretaries of State submit recommendations informed by data collected by the United States Census Bureau. Recommendations need approval from the Treasury Department before grants are distributed, and the implementation of those grants will have oversight from the Justice Department. Mishandling of funds meant for COVID-19 related purposes can lead to exclusion of future aid in the future.

SECTION 4. ESTABLISHMENT

ESTABLISHMENT –– The Coronavirus Response Fund shall be established under the Treasury Department. This fund will be responsible for:

ASSISTANCE TO THE STATES –– The Coronavirus Response Fund will harbor and coordinate all categorical grants to states for the purpose of mitigating and preventing the spread of COVID-19 and its adverse effects on people and the economy.

DIRECT FEDERAL ACTION –– The Coronavirus Response Fund will allow the federal government to spend allocated funds on equipment or initiatives to fight COVID-19 and its ramifications, whether it be for financing stimulus plans, temporary social programs, the expansion of the national stockpile, or other purposes.

CENTRALIZATION –– The Coronavirus Response Fund will centralize all federal aid and response related to the COVID-19.

ALLOCATION –– This Bill will allocate $6 billion for an initial investment to the fund, for the purpose related to SECTION 5. However, monies within the fund may be used for any purpose approved by the management of the Fund.

MANAGEMENT –– The Coronavirus Response Fund will be managed by the Treasury Department, its existing resources, and whichever resources the Department acquires if necessary;

STATE ELIGIBILITY –– In order for states to receive federal assistance from the Coronavirus Response Fund, they must submit an application to the Treasury Department. The Treasury Department will review each application for its merits on its feasibility, scale, purpose, and timeline. Applications must be approved to receive the requested amount of grants.

ACCOUNTABILITY –– States will be held to account for their plans which are approved by the Treasury Department. Oversight will be conducted by the Justice Department. Failure in compliance with federal mandates or mismanagement of federal assistance can risk a state of expulsion to future assistance from the Coronavirus Response Fund.

SECTION 5. PROTECTING THE VOTE

ENSURING MAIL BALLOTS –– It is highly recommended that all states and territories establish a mail-in absentee ballot system at the scale which encompasses all eligible voters:

States lacking mail-in ballot infrastructure should apply for categorical grants to set up that infrastructure. The $6 billion in grants appropriated in Sec.(4)(b) may only be used for the purpose of mail-in ballot infrastructure.

The recommendation in Sec.(5)(a) does not apply for states which already have adequate mail-in voting options, as determined by the FEC. However, they may still be eligible for grants if their application is approved.

TIMELINE –– Secretaries of State from the respective States must submit their requests for categorical grants from the Coronavirus Response Fund for the purpose of establishing mail-in voting systems by June 1st, and implementation of these grants must be complete by September 25th;

States may request and implement funds earlier for intermediary special elections and primaries before November.

Requests for categorical grants for the purpose of creating mail-in ballot systems must be informed by faithful data from the US Census Bureau to ensure fair access for all eligible voters.

The recommendation of universal mail-in ballot systems is necessary only for the election of November 2020, though states may also establish them before primaries or special elections.

SECTION 6. ENACTMENT

ENACTMENT –– This bill will be enacted immediately upon signature from the President.