THE VERB ACT: DEMOCRACY IN ACTION

Enacting THE VERB ACT will be both symbolic and proactive in improving our elections. Therefore, Ricky believes in comprehensive electoral reform unlike any other, where all citizens are entitled to a series of inalienable voting and democratic rights—a VOTER'S BILL OF RIGHTS.

THE VERB ACT will address the following:
 

1. The National Popular Vote

• Electoral College Abolition: To ensure that every vote counts equally in presidential elections, the VERB Act would eliminate the Electoral College via constitutional amendment.
• Ranked-Choice Voting (RCV): The Act replaces the Electoral College with a national popular vote. If no candidate achieves a 50% majority in the first-choice round, a runoff is automatically triggered through RCV. Votes from lower-ranked candidates are redistributed based on subsequent preferences until a candidate receives a majority.

2. Voter Registration Reform

• Automatic Voter Registration: Citizens are automatically registered to vote upon reaching age 16, tied to their Social Security number. This proactive measure integrates voter registration with the Social Security Administration, ensuring widespread voter eligibility.
• Same-Day Voter Registration: The Act establishes that any citizen not registered or needing to update their registration may do so on Election Day or during early voting, ensuring all citizens can vote without registration issues.
• Limited Voter Purging: Voter roll maintenance is restricted to cases with verified death certificates, protecting registered voters from unjust purging while ensuring the integrity of voter rolls.

3. Universal Voting Rights Restoration

• Full Enfranchisement: All U.S. citizens retain the right to vote, regardless of their incarceration status or felony convictions, in acknowledgment of voting as a fundamental right.
• Voting Precincts in Prisons: Each prison facility will host a voting precinct, ensuring that incarcerated citizens can participate in elections. These precincts would offer both in-person and mail-in voting options with non-partisan election oversight.

4. Standardized Voting Access

• National Holiday: Election Day will be moved to the first Sunday in November and designated a federal holiday, removing weekday scheduling conflicts and encouraging greater voter participation.
• Early Voting Standardization: Early voting for all federal, state, and municipal elections will last a minimum of two weeks immediately prior to Election Day, applicable to all voting jurisdictions, standardizing access to early voting and minimizing geographic disparities.

5. Standardized Balloting

• Uniform Ballot Design: All ballots will follow a standardized design, including three clearly marked sections for Federal, State, and County-Municipal elections. Uniform ballots reduce confusion and facilitate smoother voting experiences.
• Fair Ballot Distribution: All registered voters receive ballots by mail at least one month before Election Day. Each ballot is available in Basic English, Español, Français, Kreyòl Ayisyen, Português, Arābīc العَرَبِيَّة‎, Mandarin 漢語, Hindustani हिन्दुस्तानी, and Fārsi فارسی to accommodate the nation’s linguistic diversity and provide equal access to information.

6. Increased Accessibility to Polling Locations

• Overseas Polling Locations: Each U.S. embassy and consulate will operate as a polling location for citizens abroad, enabling participation from outside the country.
• Higher Education Polling Sites: Accredited community colleges and universities will serve as official polling sites, supporting accessibility for younger voters and promoting higher civic engagement among students.

7. Uniform Precinct Standards

• Uniform Polling Standards: All U.S. voting precincts around the world must be open from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM (local standard time) for both Election Day and early voting periods. This requirement ensures consistency and ample time for all citizens to vote.
• Fair Resource Distribution: Precincts will be equitably distributed to serve populations proportionately, ensuring convenient access for all communities, particularly in under-served areas.
• Maximum Wait Time: The VERB Act mandates a 15-minute maximum wait time at all polling locations. This standard requires a wide range of precincts to be adequately funded, staffed, and resourced to meet demand, ensuring an efficient voting experience for all citizens.

8. A Fairer Candidate Standard 

• Candidate Qualification Standards: The VERB Act establishes a non-partisan body to oversee candidate qualification standards, providing equal access to debates, public forums, and media platforms to all eligible candidates.
• Public Campaign Financing: Candidates meeting reasonably specified thresholds of public support would be eligible for federal public funding. This measure reduces dependency on private campaign donations, enhancing equity in campaign visibility and reducing undue influence from wealthy contributors.

The VERB Act sets forth a modernized, fair, and inclusive framework for U.S. elections, prioritizing universal access, representation, and efficiency. By eliminating barriers to voting, the Act aims to create a transparent, streamlined, and equitable voting system that encourages full participation and upholds democratic principles.

PASS THE VERB ACT.