Morelle Introduces Climate Resilient Elections Act, Celebrates National Voter Registration Day
WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. Joe Morelle (NY-25), the top Democrat on the Committee on House Administration, led all Committee Democratic Members – Congresswomen Terri Sewell (AL-07), Norma J. Torres (CA-35), and Julie Johnson (TX-32) – in introducing the Climate Resilient Elections Act and a resolution commemorating National Voter Registration Day.
The Climate Resilient Elections Act aims to ensure that states are prepared to administer safe, secure elections, and support voter registration in the face of natural disasters.
“Hurricanes, natural disasters, or any other act of God does not discriminate. From Hurricane Sandy, which made landfall in the days leading up to the 2012 presidential election and strained election officials in my home state of New York—to Hurricane Helene, which impacted nearly 1.3 million North Carolina voters last year,” said Ranking Member Joe Morelle. “Ultimately, the Climate Resilient Elections Act will help fortify our elections against the serious threat of climate change.”
Click here to read the Climate Resilient Elections Act and here to read the fact sheet.
“As a daughter of Selma and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Elections, nothing is more important to me than ensuring all eligible Americans have the opportunity to exercise their right to vote,” said Congresswoman Terri Sewell. “On this National Voter Registration Day, I’m proud to be co-sponsoring the Climate Resilient Elections Act, because natural disasters should never prevent voters from accessing the ballot box. As severe storms become more frequent and devastating, we must act now to ensure election officials get the resources they need to prepare for the worst.”
“Voting is the foundation of our democracy, and we cannot allow natural disasters or extreme weather to silence the voices of millions of Americans,” said Congresswoman Norma J. Torres. “From hurricanes and floods to wildfires and earthquakes, communities across the country have already faced the chaos of trying to vote in the middle of a crisis. The Climate Resilient Elections Act ensures states have plans in place so that no one has to choose between their safety and their civic duty. I am proud to stand with Ranking Member Morelle to ensure voting access for every American, no matter where they live or what challenges they face. On National Voter Registration Day, I urge everyone to take a moment to register, update your information, and make a plan to vote because protecting your voice at the ballot box has never been more important.
The Climate Resilient Elections Act has been endorsed by leading national organizations:
“Our elections systems need to protect voters’ right to participate in free and fair elections even when extreme weather events strike,” said Doug Lindner, Senior Director of Judiciary & Democracy, League of Conservation Voters. “As we saw last year in the wake of Hurricane Helene, climate emergencies can create election emergencies, and these risks are rising as we continue to experience record breaking temperatures and extreme weather events. The historically excluded voters at greatest risk of disenfranchisement are often the ones most impacted by the climate crisis, and we cannot let these problems compound during a crisis. LCV applauds Representative Morelle for leading the charge to protect our voters and elections during climate disasters.”
“The League of Women Voters of the United States proudly supports the Climate Resilient Elections Act,” said Jessica Jones Capparell, Director of Government Affairs. “This legislation will make necessary steps toward ensuring that voters can register to vote and cast their ballots during times of extreme crisis caused by natural disasters. Our election infrastructure is vital to our democracy, and losing any piece of it threatens the American way of life. The League has consistently worked to ensure that voting stays a priority for those facing hardships during times of crises, climate events, and natural disasters. We are proud to support this bill so that election administrators can plan for the future and protect our critical election infrastructure.”
“The right to vote is sacred in a democracy, and no one should be prevented from voting due to a natural disaster,” said Sakira Cook, Federal Policy Director at the Southern Poverty Law Center. “Whether hurricanes, tornadoes, or flooding, states in the Deep South are uniquely vulnerable to extreme weather. Election officials must ensure our voting infrastructure is resilient and ready to withstand climate-related catastrophe, so that all eligible voters can cast a ballot. Congress has a key role to play in supporting election officials as they prepare elections for natural disasters and ensure all eligible people can vote in their wake. The Climate Resilient Elections Act is an important step toward fulfilling that responsibility.”
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The Committee on House Administration’s jurisdiction includes federal elections, House operations, Capitol Complex security, the Smithsonian Institution, and Legislative Branch agencies such as the Library of Congress and Government Publishing Office.