April 29, 2021

Dear Mr. Armstrong,

Thank you for taking the time to contact me regarding the For the People Act of 2021. I appreciate hearing from constituents, as it helps me better serve Colorado in the United States Senate. 

H.R. 1, the For the People Act of 2021, (S. 1 in the Senate), is designed to curb the influence of special interests in our government and make it easier for all eligible voters to have a say in our democracy. I am an original cosponsor of this legislation. 

The Act promises to strengthen the security of our elections, while also making it easier to vote. It would implement important reforms, like ensuring that there are two weeks of early voting and expanded access to vote-by-mail, same day registration, and automatic registration. Far from discouraging participation in our democracy, this bill ensures that more can people can make their voices heard without sacrificing the integrity of our elections. 

It’s important to correct misinformation about the bill. The For the People Act does not threaten non-profits’ independence or discourage citizens from engaging with their preferred constituent groups. Instead, it strengthens our democracy by enhancing donor transparency. For far too long, dark money has influenced the outcomes of elections. By reforming campaign finance laws, the For the People Act ensures that the wealthy and well-connected do not have outsized influence. 

The Constitution endows Congress with the ability to regulate federal elections and the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments charge Congress with protecting citizens’ voting rights. The Supreme Court has repeatedly affirmed this interpretation, including as recently as 2013. 

Getting dark money out of politics, ensuring fair elections, and increasing transparency are not partisan issues. More than 68% of voters said they would like to see the For the People Act passed, and only 16% opposed it. This bill will curb the influence of special interests in our government and make it easier for all eligible voters to have a say in our democracy.

We always value hearing directly from Coloradans. We hope you will continue to share your thoughts and concerns as we work together to get results for Colorado and our country. For more information about our priorities in the United States Senate, we invite you to visit our website at www.hickenlooper.senate.gov. Again, thank you for reaching out.

Sincerely,

John Hickenlooper
United States Senator