Common Cause members and the public are interested to know where you stand on additional democracy ideas that some candidates have proposed, like reforming the Supreme Court, lowering the voting age, or expanding voting rights to non-citizens. What do you think about these reforms? And are there any other ways you want to make our democracy more representative, reflective, accessible, or accountable?

Response

A nonpartisan Supreme Court is essential to a functioning democracy. Its rulings have to be followed by politicians, lower courts, and everyday Americans alike. If the Supreme Court comes to be seen as just another partisan instrument, our constitutional balance of powers and the very legitimacy of the rule of law are threatened. I am committed to creating a bipartisan commission for the purpose of recommending structural reforms to the Supreme Court so that Americans can have faith in it again.

I wouldn't close the conversation on lowering the voting age to 16, but as it is not as clear a case as the adjustment from 21 to 18, I want to study all the potential effects further before considering it federally. In the meantime, I am supportive of local jurisdictions experimenting with it, like in Takoma Park, Maryland.