By: Aditi Salunkhe | Voting |
A thriving democracy holds two key components: citizen participation and the fundamental right to vote. Not only is voting a civic duty for all U.S. citizens, but it also acts as a powerful expression of individual voices collectively shaping the politics of a country. This democratic cornerstone becomes ever more apparent with the 2024 presidential election lying just around the corner.
The Freedom to Vote Act was sponsored by Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and introduced to Congress in 2021. In essence, the bill addresses voter registration, access, redistricting, election integrity, and campaign finance, according to Congress. In addition, it sets the national standard “to protect the freedom to vote, counter election denial, end partisan gerrymandering and help get big money out of politics,” according to the Brennan Center for Justice. Specifically, the bill expands voter registration (automatic and same-day registration) and voting access (vote-by-mail and early voting), according to Congress. It also limits removing voters from voter rolls.
Congress reports that the Freedom to Vote Act declares 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.”
Moreover, the bill outlines federal criminal offenses associated with voting. For instance, it establishes a new criminal offense for engaging in, or attempting to engage in, activities that “corruptly obstruct, interfere with, or obstruct another person's registration to vote or assistance in the registration process,” according to Congress.
Furthermore, the bill includes restrictions regarding election security, compelling states to conduct post-election audits for federal elections. It outlines criteria for redistricting and generally prohibits redrawing electoral districts midway through a decade, Congress reports.
As of February 2024, the Freedom to Vote Act has not officially been passed yet. However, many organizations such as the Brennan Center for Justice have urged Congress to vote on it as it includes several measures to protect the voting rights of U.S. citizens.
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