Will this presidential election be the most important in American history?
Georgia progressive Democrat Stacey Abrams suddenly says she supports West Virginia Democrat Senator Joe Manchin’s voting rights bill compromise.
Abrams, a former Georgia state representative, is backing Manchin’s suggested changes to HR1, the For the People Act, a broad election reform bill expected on the Senate floor next week.
Manchin initially said he opposed the bill because it had no Republican support and his modification is intended to attract some from the opposing political party.
Part of Manchin’s compromise effort includes a provision requiring some type of voter identification, something Abrams has staunchly opposed and argued against for years.
Manchin provided a list of his suggested changes this week including alternatives for voter ID such as a utility bill.
The Hill reports:
They include making Election Day a public holiday; mandating at least 15 consecutive days of early voting for federal elections; banning partisan gerrymandering and use of computer models to draw districts; and automatic voter registration through departments of motor vehicles, with an option to opt out.
In a complete reversal of her previous position, now Abrams says, “No one has ever objected to having to prove who you are to vote. It’s been part of our nation’s history since the inception of voting.”
Stacey Abrams says "absolutely" she could support Sen. Joe Manchin's (D-WV) voting rights compromise he laid out on Wednesday.
"What Senator Manchin is putting forward are some basic building blocks that we need to ensure that democracy is accessible no matter your geography." pic.twitter.com/qO8hgb1UL3
— The Recount (@therecount) June 17, 2021
Why the change of heart, @staceyabrams? pic.twitter.com/Le11w1pjJS
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) June 18, 2021
Critics of Abrams commented on social media.
As recently as April, Abrams argued against voter ID provisions that a vast majority of Americans support while baselessly smearing Georgia's common sense law.
If only she had realized voter IDs make sense before she denied Georgia businesses $100M in a boycott. https://t.co/aflEnxqUCx
— Tommy Pigott (@TommyPigott) June 17, 2021
Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO) says when Stacey Abrams endorsed Sen. Joe Manchin's (D-WV) voting rights proposal, "it became the Stacey Abrams substitute, not the Joe Manchin substitute." pic.twitter.com/0tdvvLmwGw
— The Recount (@therecount) June 17, 2021
Abrams was at the forefront of ballot review changes in Georgia and worked out a compromise with the governor of Georgia and secretary of state on how to review contested ballots.
Abrams’ support of Manchin’s effort shows how badly Democrats want the federal takeover of national elections and it sets the stage for Manchin to reverse his initial opposition to the bill passed in the House of Representatives.
Going forward, Manchin can say he tried for a compromise and was blocked by Republicans, thereby, giving him an excuse to vote for the House bill For the People Act and also agree to get rid of the Senate filibuster.
