“I believe in the secret ballot as a very important part of our democracy,” McGovern said. “When we elect a president, sheriff or member of Congress, we walk into the voting booth and pull the curtain free of anyone trying to twist our arm.”

He added that he is a longtime advocate of organized labor. “I think my voting record in the Senate is flawless on that issue. But it is in the interest of labor and management to have a secret ballot.”