Freedom to Vote Act

3/12/2024, 10:49 PM

Summary of Bill S 1

The Freedom to Vote Act, also known as Bill 118 s 1, is a piece of legislation currently being considered by the US Congress. The main goal of this bill is to protect and expand voting rights for all Americans.

Some key provisions of the Freedom to Vote Act include:

1. Making Election Day a national holiday to ensure that all Americans have the opportunity to vote without having to worry about work or other obligations. 2. Implementing automatic voter registration, which would register eligible voters when they interact with government agencies such as the DMV or Social Security Administration. 3. Expanding early voting opportunities to make it easier for people to cast their ballots in a way that is convenient for them. 4. Ensuring the security and integrity of elections by requiring paper ballots and implementing measures to protect against foreign interference. 5. Prohibiting partisan gerrymandering, which is the practice of drawing electoral district boundaries in a way that gives one political party an unfair advantage. Overall, the Freedom to Vote Act aims to make the voting process more accessible, secure, and fair for all Americans. It is currently being debated in Congress, with supporters arguing that it is necessary to protect democracy and ensure that every citizen has the opportunity to have their voice heard in the political process.

Congressional Summary of S 1

Freedom to Vote Act

This bill addresses voter registration and voting access, election integrity and security, redistricting, and campaign finance.

Specifically, the bill expands voter registration (e.g., automatic and same-day registration) and voting access (e.g., vote-by-mail and early voting). It also limits removing voters from voter rolls.

Next, the bill establishes Election Day as a federal holiday.

The bill declares that the right of a U.S. citizen to vote in any election for federal office shall not be denied or abridged because that individual has been convicted of a criminal offense unless, at the time of the election, such individual is serving a felony sentence.

The bill establishes certain federal criminal offenses related to voting. In particular, the bill establishes a new criminal offense for conduct (or attempted conduct) to corruptly hinder, interfere with, or prevent another person from registering to vote or helping someone register to vote.

Additionally, the bill sets forth provisions related to election security, including by requiring states to conduct post-election audits for federal elections.

The bill outlines criteria for congressional redistricting and generally prohibits mid-decade redistricting.

The bill addresses campaign finance, including by expanding the prohibition on campaign spending by foreign nationals, requiring additional disclosure of campaign-related fundraising and spending, requiring additional disclaimers regarding certain political advertising, and establishing an alternative campaign funding system for certain federal offices.

Current Status of Bill S 1

Bill S 1 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since July 25, 2023. Bill S 1 was introduced during Congress 118 and was introduced to the Senate on July 25, 2023.  Bill S 1's most recent activity was Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration. as of July 25, 2023

Bipartisan Support of Bill S 1

Total Number of Sponsors
1
Democrat Sponsors
1
Republican Sponsors
0
Unaffiliated Sponsors
0
Total Number of Cosponsors
102
Democrat Cosponsors
96
Republican Cosponsors
0
Unaffiliated Cosponsors
6

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill S 1

Primary Policy Focus

Government Operations and Politics

Potential Impact Areas

Accounting and auditingAdministrative law and regulatory proceduresAdult day careAgingAssault and harassment offensesBroadcasting, cable, digital technologiesBuy American requirementsChild care and developmentCitizenship and naturalizationCivil actions and liabilityCommemorative events and holidaysComputer security and identity theftComputers and information technologyCongressional districts and representationCongressional electionsCongressional oversightConstitution and constitutional amendmentsConsumer creditCorporate finance and managementCorrectional facilities and imprisonmentCriminal investigation, prosecution, interrogationCriminal justice information and recordsCriminal procedure and sentencingDepartment of the TreasuryDigital mediaDiplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroadDisability and health-based discriminationDisability and paralysisDisability assistanceDomestic violence and child abuseDue process and equal protectionElection Assistance CommissionElections, voting, political campaign regulationEmployment and training programsExecutive agency funding and structureFamily relationshipsFederal Election Commission (FEC)Federal district courtsFood industry and servicesForeign language and bilingual programsFraud offenses and financial crimesGovernment ethics and transparency, public corruptionGovernment information and archivesGovernment lending and loan guaranteesGovernment studies and investigationsGovernment trust fundsGuamHealth care costs and insuranceHealth care coverage and accessHouse of RepresentativesHousing and community development fundingHousing finance and home ownershipIntergovernmental relationsInternal Revenue Service (IRS)Internet, web applications, social mediaJudgesJudicial procedure and administrationJudicial review and appealsJurisdiction and venueLabor-management relationsLandlord and tenantLaw enforcement administration and fundingLawyers and legal servicesLegal fees and court costsLicensing and registrationsLow- and moderate-income housingManufacturingMembers of CongressMilitary personnel and dependentsNews media and reportingNorthern Mariana IslandsPolitical advertisingPolitical parties and affiliationPolitical representationPostal servicePublic contracts and procurementPublic housingPublic participation and lobbyingRacial and ethnic relationsRight of privacyRural conditions and developmentSocial work, volunteer service, charitable organizationsState and local government operationsSubversive activitiesSupreme CourtTax administration and collection, taxpayersTax-exempt organizationsTelephone and wireless communicationU.S. Sentencing CommissionU.S. and foreign investmentsU.S. territories and protectoratesUser charges and feesVirgin IslandsVoting rights

Alternate Title(s) of Bill S 1

Freedom to Vote ActFreedom to Vote ActRight to Vote ActAutomatic Voter Registration Act of 2023Help America Run ActGovernment By the People Act of 2023Restoring Integrity to America’s Elections ActStop Super PAC–Candidate Coordination ActSpotlight ActHonest Ads ActDISCLOSE Act of 2023Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light On Spending in Elections Act of 2023Voter Confidence and Increased Accessibility Act of 2023Voters’ Access to Water ActDeceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2023Democracy Restoration Act of 2023Voter Registration Modernization Act of 2023Voter Empowerment Act of 2023A bill to expand Americans' access to the ballot box and reduce the influence of big money in politics, and for other purposes.
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