Ranking Member Morelle, Colleagues Introduce Freedom to Vote Act
Washington, D.C. — House Administration Committee Ranking Member Joe Morelle (D-N.Y.) and several of his colleagues introduced the Freedom to Vote Act (HR 11). The bill will protect our democracy, defend it against continued and relentless attacks, and ensure that the voices and votes of regular Americans are heard in our elections.
The Freedom to Vote Act ensures all Americans can vote in secure, accessible, transparent elections. It protects the right to vote, supports local election workers, bans dark money, and ends partisan gerrymandering so that our democracy works for the people.
“I’m a son of Rochester, New York, the home of two of the most passionate and well-known advocates for voting rights, Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony. Today, we continue the fight they began so long ago—to help bring America closer to its foundational promise. The Freedom to Vote Act will protect and strengthen the bedrock of our democracy,” said Morelle.
“The story of American democracy is one of a relentless march towards further equality,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. “The Freedom to Vote Act would rectify one of the great historic harms of our past and put us closer to our goal of a fully representative democracy. The legislation is a fair, effective, and common-sense proposal that will strengthen our democracy and give voice to all Americans. Last year, our caucus stood united in fighting against anti-democratic principles, and I urge my colleagues across the aisle to join our attempts to safeguard this fundamental right.”
“Over the last several years, extreme MAGA Republicans have proven time and time again that they will abandon our most fundamental principles of democracy in favor of extremism,” said House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries. “At this critical moment, Democrats know that nothing is more important than protecting and strengthening our democracy. The Freedom to Vote Act protects the right to vote, supports election workers, bans dark money and ends partisan gerrymandering so that our democracy can work For The People.”
“The freedom to vote is fundamental to all of our freedoms, and as we continue to see unprecedented attacks on our democracy in states across the country, it is clear we must take action. These attacks demand a federal response,” said Senator Amy Klobuchar. “The Freedom to Vote Act will set basic national standards to make sure all Americans can cast their ballots in the way that works best for them, regardless of what zip code they live in. This bill will ensure Americans can request a mail-in ballot and have access to drop boxes, have at least two weeks of early voting, and can register to vote on Election Day.”
"The Freedom to Vote Act reflects Congressional Democrats' unwavering commitment to ensuring every American has a voice and a vote in our democracy," said Task Force on Strengthening Democracy Co-Chair Representative John Sarbanes. "By designating the Freedom to Vote Act as H.R. 11 in the House and S.1 in the Senate, we are giving this bill the highest possible priority because our most fundamental freedoms are at stake. I am proud to join my colleagues in reintroducing this bicameral legislation that returns power to the people by ensuring access to the ballot box, fixing partisan gerrymandering and finally addressing the undue and corrupting influence of big money on our politics and the functioning of our government."
“The strength of our democracy depends on Americans’ ability to make their voices heard. It’s crucial that we pass the Freedom to Vote Act to help expand voting by mail, early voting, and other reforms to make voting easier. These provisions—many of which were adopted in Virginia—are broadly popular among Americans across the political spectrum and are essential to our democracy,” said Senator Tim Kaine.
“From bad actors making mass challenges to scores of legitimate voter registrations, to on-going efforts by partisan state leaders in Georgia and elsewhere to usurp community control from local election boards, it’s clear that the people’s voices are being squeezed out of our democracy and that it’s impacting our ability to address a whole range of problems facing the American people,” said Senator Raphael Warnock. “That’s why I’m immensely proud to stand with my colleagues in introducing the Freedom to Vote Act, which would help secure our democracy against these threats undermining our elections, and ensure that every eligible American can cast their ballot and be sure it’s counted.”
“It was in my hometown of Selma, Alabama where John Lewis and the Foot Soldiers shed blood on a bridge for the equal right of all Americans to vote,” said House Administration Subcommittee on Elections Ranking Member Terri Sewell. “But today, their legacy—and democracy itself—is under attack by extremists and election deniers who are working to subvert our elections and make it harder for Americans to vote. The Freedom to Vote Act protects the right to vote, supports local election workers, bans dark money, and ends partisan gerrymandering. Together with the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which I will introduce in the coming months, it will ensure that every American can vote in secure, accessible, and transparent elections."
The Freedom to Vote Act:
- Sets nationwide standards to protect access to voting for all eligible Americans
- Protects voters against intimidation and harassment
- Modernizes our elections systems to keep them secure and accurate
- Provides election administrators resources to run safe, accessible elections
- Protects election administrators, workers, and volunteers from harassment
- Stops partisan interference in vote counting
- Protects elections from foreign interference
- Forces disclosure of dark money
- Ends extreme partisan gerrymandering
The bill comes as extreme MAGA Republicans continue to spread misinformation about our elections, with some refusing to even accept the results. They have also passed a wave of laws restricting the freedom to vote in states across the country, while a growing flood of corporate and dark money pollute our elections and drown out the voices of regular people.
Morelle is the Ranking Member of the Committee on House Administration, which has jurisdiction over legislation related to federal elections.
A legislative summary of the Freedom to Vote Act can be found here.
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