Protect Democracy: Proposed 28th Amendment to End Corruption & Safeguard U.S. Elections

 

Proposed 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution

Title: The Democracy Protection & Anti-Corruption Amendment

Section 1: Presidential Election Reforms

1. National Popular Vote Requirement

   • The President and Vice President shall be elected by national popular vote.

   • Penalty for Violation: Any attempt to subvert this system (e.g., rogue electors, state legislatures overriding votes) shall result in:

     • Immediate disqualification of the candidate from office.

     • Federal felony charges (up to 20 years in prison) for conspirators.

2. Ranked-Choice Voting (RCV) Mandate

   • All federal elections must use RCV.

   • Penalty for Violation: States refusing to implement RCV lose 10% of federal election funding per year until compliance.

Section 2: Presidential Accountability & Anti-Corruption

1. Mandatory Tax Return & Financial Disclosure

   • Presidents, VPs, and candidates must release 10 years of tax returns.

   • Penalty for Violation:

     • Automatic disqualification from ballot access.

     • Fines up to 50% of undisclosed income.

2. Blind Trust Requirement

   • Presidents must place assets in a verified blind trust.

   • Penalty for Violation:

     • Impeachable offense (fast-track impeachment process).

     • Forfeiture of ill-gotten gains (3x the value of corrupt profits).

3. Ban on Self-Pardons & Corrupt Clemency

   • No pardons for self, family, co-conspirators, or election-related crimes.

   • Penalty for Violation:

     • Any illegal pardon is void, and the recipient remains prosecutable.

     • President committing this violation is disqualified from future office and subject to criminal prosecution.

Section 3: Anti-Authoritarian Safeguards

1. Insurrection & Election Subversion Disqualification

   • Anyone who incites, aids, or participates in insurrection is banned from federal/state office forever.

   • Penalty for Violation:

     • 20-year federal prison sentence for attempting to bypass this ban.

     • Civil liability (victims of insurrection may sue for damages).

2. Emergency Powers Reform

   • Emergency declarations expire in 30 days without congressional approval.

   • Penalty for Violation:

     • Automatic termination of the emergency order.

     • Impeachment trigger for abuse of power.

Section 4: Media & Disinformation Accountability

1. Fair Coverage Mandate for Broadcast Media

   • Must provide equal airtime to major candidates.

   • Penalty for Violation:

     • Loss of FCC licensing for repeated offenses.

     • Fines up to 10% of annual revenue.

2. Criminal Penalties for Election Lies

   • Knowingly spreading false claims to overturn elections is a felony.

   • Penalty for Violation:

     • 1–10 years in prison + lifetime ban from public office.

     • Liable for defamation (victims can sue for damages).

Section 5: Judicial & DOJ Reforms

1. Supreme Court Term Limits (18 years)

   • Penalty for Violation:

     • Justices refusing to step down lose salary, benefits, and voting power on the Court.

2. DOJ Independence Shield

   • Politically motivated prosecutions are illegal.

   • Penalty for Violation:

     • Automatic removal of the AG or prosecutor involved.

     • Prison time (5–15 years) for weaponizing justice.

Section 6: Enforcement & Fast-Track Punishment

1. Special Federal Tribunal for Amendment Violations

   • A nonpartisan panel of judges handles cases, with no appeals to the Supreme Court.

   • Trials must conclude within 90 days.

2. Whistleblower Rewards

   • Individuals exposing violations receive 10–30% of fines collected.

3. Automatic Trigger for Congress

   • If the President violates this Amendment, Congress must vote on impeachment within 30 days.

   • Failure to vote results in immediate suspension of congressional salaries.