Expanding the VOTE Act

Expanding the Voluntary Opportunities for Translations in Elections Act or the Expanding the VOTE Act

This bill expands access to voting materials for individuals with limited proficiency in the English language, including by establishing incentive grants for states and political subdivisions to provide translated voting materials. Additionally, the bill directs the Government Accountability Office to study the impact of (1) reducing the threshold requirement under Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and (2) expanding the definition of language minorities to include native speakers of additional languages.

Bill 117 HR 8770, also known as the Expanding the VOTE Act, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress with the aim of expanding voting rights and access to the ballot box for all eligible voters. The bill seeks to address various issues related to voting, such as voter suppression, gerrymandering, and election security.

One of the key provisions of the Expanding the VOTE Act is the establishment of automatic voter registration, which would ensure that eligible voters are automatically registered to vote when they interact with government agencies, such as the Department of Motor Vehicles. This provision aims to increase voter turnout and make the voter registration process more efficient and accessible.

Additionally, the bill includes measures to expand early voting and voting by mail, making it easier for individuals to cast their ballots in a way that is convenient for them. The Expanding the VOTE Act also seeks to address gerrymandering by requiring states to establish independent redistricting commissions to draw congressional district boundaries in a fair and non-partisan manner. Furthermore, the bill includes provisions to enhance election security, such as requiring states to use paper ballots and implement post-election audits to ensure the accuracy and integrity of election results. The Expanding the VOTE Act also aims to protect voters from intimidation and harassment at the polls by prohibiting deceptive practices that are intended to suppress voter turnout. Overall, the Expanding the VOTE Act is a comprehensive piece of legislation that seeks to strengthen democracy by expanding voting rights and access to the ballot box for all eligible voters. It addresses various issues related to voting and election security, with the goal of ensuring that every voice is heard in the democratic process.