September 22, 2021

Senate Democrats Introduce New Voting Rights Bill

Within days of Texas enacting a new voting restrictions law, Senate Democrats introduced the Freedom to Vote Act. The bill would make Election Day a federal holiday, establish same-day voter registration nationwide, set federal standards on mail-in voting, establish limited voter ID requirements and ban partisan gerrymandering.

The new legislation borrows heavily from the Democrats’ earlier push for voter protection, the For the People Act, which passed the House but was filibustered in the Senate. This bill would also need 60 votes to pass under the current Senate rules.

“Ensuring everyone has the right to vote should not be a partisan issue,” said Robert Roach, Jr., President of the Alliance. “This legislation would ensure that every eligible voter, no matter where they live, can cast a ballot easily and make their voices heard.”