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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 auditing
- Administrative law and regulatory procedures
- Adult day care
- Aging
- Assault and harassment offenses
- Broadcasting, cable, digital technologies
- Buy American requirements
- Child care and development
- Citizenship and naturalization
- Civil actions and liability
- Commemorative events and holidays
- Computer security and identity theft
- Computers and information technology
- Congressional districts and representation
- Congressional elections
- Congressional oversight
- Constitution and constitutional amendments
- Consumer credit
- Corporate finance and management
- Correctional facilities and imprisonment
- Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
- Criminal justice information and records
- Criminal procedure and sentencing
- Department of the Treasury
- Digital media
- Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
- Disability and health-based discrimination
- Disability and paralysis
- Disability assistance
- Domestic violence and child abuse
- Due process and equal protection
- Election Assistance Commission
- Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
- Employment and training programs
- Executive agency funding and structure
- Family relationships
- Federal Election Commission (FEC)
- Federal district courts
- Food industry and services
- Foreign language and bilingual programs
- Fraud offenses and financial crimes
- Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
- Government information and archives
- Government lending and loan guarantees
- Government studies and investigations
- Government trust funds
- Guam
- Health care costs and insurance
- Health care coverage and access
- House of Representatives
- Housing and community development funding
- Housing finance and home ownership
- Intergovernmental relations
- Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
- Internet, web applications, social media
- Judges
- Judicial procedure and administration
- Judicial review and appeals
- Jurisdiction and venue
- Labor-management relations
- Landlord and tenant
- Law enforcement administration and funding
- Lawyers and legal services
- Legal fees and court costs
- Licensing and registrations
- Low- and moderate-income housing
- Manufacturing
- Members of Congress
- Military personnel and dependents
- News media and reporting
- Northern Mariana Islands
- Political advertising
- Political parties and affiliation
- Political representation
- Postal service
- Public contracts and procurement
- Public housing
- Public participation and lobbying
- Racial and ethnic relations
- Right of privacy
- Rural conditions and development
- Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
- State and local government operations
- Subversive activities
- Supreme Court
- Tax administration and collection, taxpayers
- Tax-exempt organizations
- Telephone and wireless communication
- U.S. Sentencing Commission
- U.S. and foreign investments
- U.S. territories and protectorates
- User charges and fees
- Virgin Islands
- Voting rights

Alternate Title(s) of Bill S 1

Freedom to Vote Act
Freedom to Vote Act
Right to Vote Act
Automatic Voter Registration Act of 2023
Help America Run Act
Government By the People Act of 2023
Restoring Integrity to America’s Elections Act
Stop Super PAC–Candidate Coordination Act
Spotlight Act
Honest Ads Act
DISCLOSE Act of 2023
Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light On Spending in Elections Act of 2023
Voter Confidence and Increased Accessibility Act of 2023
Voters’ Access to Water Act
Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2023
Democracy Restoration Act of 2023
Voter Registration Modernization Act of 2023
Voter Empowerment Act of 2023
A 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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