SNEK ISSUE AREA
Government & Democracy
SNEK’s government platform focuses on limiting entrenched political power, improving transparency, expanding political competition, and keeping election administration auditable.
14 policies in this section. Pick one and go down the rabbit hole.
The Policies
Short answer first. Details when you want them.
Ranked Choice for President
Electing one President is different from electing a legislature. SNEK’s current preference is ranked-choice voting because it gives voters more meaningful choices while still producing one winner.
Congress Must Own Major Policy Decisions
Experts and regulatory agencies have legitimate roles, but major policy decisions should remain traceable to elected lawmakers.
Executive Orders Cannot Replace Laws
Presidents need authority to manage the executive branch and faithfully execute the law. That does not make the President a one-person legislature.
Readable, Single-Subject Legislation
People should be able to tell what a bill does before their representatives vote on it.
No Government Shutdowns as Leverage
Routine government operations should not become bargaining chips because elected officials failed to finish a budget.
Voting Should Be Easy to Do and Hard to Question
Election access and election integrity are equally important. Eligible people should have a practical way to vote, and the result should be easy to audit and verify.
Emergency Powers Must Expire
Emergencies can require fast government action. They should not quietly create permanent government power.
Elected Officials Should Not Draw Their Own Districts
Politicians should compete within districts created by an independent process. They should not design the districts in which they compete.
Political Competition and Representation
American politics should not be structurally reserved for two parties. Every legitimate party and independent candidate deserves a reasonable chance to compete.
Political Money Should Come From Actual People
Individuals should be able to support candidates with their own money. Organizations should not be able to funnel money directly into candidates.
End the Paid Lobbying Industry
Citizens should be able to petition government. Selling privileged access to government is a different thing.
Public Power Requires Public Financial Transparency
The public should be able to see the major financial interests of the people exercising significant government power.
If You Can Move the Market, You Should Not Be Trading It
People with major government power should not be actively trading individual stocks while their decisions can move markets or affect specific companies.
Public Office Should Not Be a Lifetime Career
Political power should be temporary. SNEK supports an eight-year lifetime limit on elected service at each level of government.