THE FREEDOM TO VOTE ACT ENSURES EVERY AMERICAN HAS A VOICE AND A VOTE IN OUR DEMOCRACY.

This legislation ensures safe, secure and accessible elections for all, enhances the ability of every American to cast their ballots freely, equally and without interference, and sets national standards for voting access to guarantee the right to vote in our nation’s democracy.

The Freedom to Vote Act ensures every American has avoice and a vote in our democracy.

This legislation ensures safe, secure and accessible elections for all, enhances the ability of every American to cast their ballots freely, equally and without interference, and sets national standards for voting access to guarantee the right to vote in our nation’s democracy.

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MOST AMERICANS AGREE

 The Freedom to Vote Act (FTVA) sets basic national standards for voting, stops partisan gerrymandering, and ends the dominance of dark money in politics.

The FTVA would require each state to ensure that voters with disabilities have the same access to voter registration, absentee ballot applications and ballots as every other voter, and would require that they be electronically accessible to voters with disabilities.

The FTVA would require strong, uniform rules for congressional redistricting, including a ban on partisan gerrymandering, and strengthened protections for communities of interest. The bill would also ensure greater transparency and public input in the redistricting process and would add enhanced judicial remedies to ensure that discriminatory or gerrymandered maps can quickly be challenged in court and replaced with fair maps.

The FTVA creates protections for voters subjected to excessive lines during elections, many of whom are often Black and Latino voters, by requiring states to ensure that wait times in lines last no longer than 30 minutes. The bill also prevents states from prohibiting donations of food or water to voters waiting in line to exercise their right to vote.

The FTVA would address the problem of “dark money” in our elections by requiring any entity that makes a disbursement of $10,000 or more in a Federal election to file a disclosure report with the Federal Election Commission. To achieve the highest form of transparency and minimize disinformation, the bill extends disclosure and transparency requirements to internet ads, which would require these ads to clearly identify their sponsors, and for large online platforms to establish searchable databases of online political advertisements.

The FTVA would increase protections for local election administrators and help prevent them from being removed for partisan or political reasons. The bill also protects against partisan, post-election attempts to tamper with results by expanding the penalties for destroying or altering ballots and other election records, and expanding the categories of records that must be preserved after Federal elections.

The FTVA would create a legal public holiday for Election Day, making it easier for people to get to the polls and exercise their constitutional right to vote.

Thumbs up or thumbs down

MOST AMERICANS AGREE

The Freedom to Vote Act (FTVA) sets basic national standards for voting, stops partisan gerrymandering, and ends the dominance of dark money in politics.

The FTVA would require each state to ensure that voters with disabilities have the same access to voter registration, absentee ballot applications and ballots as every other voter, and would require that they be electronically accessible to voters with disabilities.

The FTVA would require strong, uniform rules for congressional redistricting, including a ban on partisan gerrymandering, and strengthened protections for communities of interest. The bill would also ensure greater transparency and public input in the redistricting process and would add enhanced judicial remedies to ensure that discriminatory or gerrymandered maps can quickly be challenged in court and replaced with fair maps.

The FTVA creates protections for voters subjected to excessive lines during elections, many of whom are often Black and Latino voters, by requiring states to ensure that wait times in lines last no longer than 30 minutes. The bill also prevents states from prohibiting donations of food or water to voters waiting in line to exercise their right to vote.

The FTVA would address the problem of “dark money” in our elections by requiring any entity that makes a disbursement of $10,000 or more in a Federal election to file a disclosure report with the Federal Election Commission. To achieve the highest form of transparency and minimize disinformation, the bill extends disclosure and transparency requirements to internet ads, which would require these ads to clearly identify their sponsors, and for large online platforms to establish searchable databases of online political advertisements.

The FTVA would increase protections for local election administrators and help prevent them from being removed for partisan or political reasons. The bill also protects against partisan, post-election attempts to tamper with results by expanding the penalties for destroying or altering ballots and other election records, and expanding the categories of records that must be preserved after Federal elections.

The FTVA would create a legal public holiday for Election Day, making it easier for people to get to the polls and exercise their constitutional right to vote.

BILL INFORMATION

The Freedom to Vote Act will set basic national standards for voting, stop partisan gerrymandering on both sides of the aisle, and strengthen the American people’s faith in our democracy.

FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS

Improve Access

The FTVA expands access to the ballot box by removing barriers to voting such as complicated voter registration systems, restricted access to absentee and mail-in-voting and limited in-person voting hours.

The bill:

  • Expands online voter registration.
  • Implements automatic voter registration at state motor vehicle agencies.
  • Implements same day voter registration across the nation.
  • Expands no-excuse, vote by mail opportunities. 
  • Reduces long lines and wait times for voters.

Promote Integrity

The FTVA ensures the integrity of our elections and protects voters from disinformation.

The bill:

  • Ends partisan gerrymandering on both sides of the aisle.
  • Prohibits intentionally communicating false and misleading information about elections and other deceptive practices.
  • Expands protections for election administrators by extending existing prohibitions on intimidating or threatening voters to include election officials engaged in the counting of ballots, canvassing, and certifying election results.

Ensure Security

The FTVA enhances federal support for secure voting systems and elections.

The bill:

  • Standardizes use of voter-verified paper ballots in Federal elections.
  • Strengthens protections for Federal election records, and extends existing protections to include electronic records and election infrastructure.
  • Authorizes $3.1 billion in grants to states to make cybersecurity improvements and to replace outdated voting systems over the next decade.
  • Requires states to administer post-election audits.

END THE DOMINANCE OF BIG MONEY IN OUR POLITICS

Enhance Disclosure

The FTVA shines a light on dark money in politics and enhances transparency in our campaigns and elections.

The bill:

  • Ensures big money spenders disclose their spending so voters can follow the money. 
  • Establishes online political ad disclosure requirements.

Empower Citizens

The FTVA will strengthen the political power of hardworking Americans.

The bill:

  • Creates a multiple matching system for small donations. This system of citizen owned elections will break the hold of special interests on Congress and will lay the groundwork for a policy agenda that meets the needs of the American people. The voluntary multiple matching system will be paid for by a new surcharge on corporate law breakers and wealthy tax cheats and will never rely on taxpayer funds.

Strengthen Oversight

The FTVA enhances oversight over campaign finance and strengthens enforcement of campaign finance laws.

The bill:

  • Strengthens the rules prohibiting coordination between candidates and outside spending groups.
  • Empowers the non-partisan Federal Election Commission General Counsel’s office to bring enforcement actions for campaign finance violations.
  • Extends the statute of limitation for violations of campaign finance laws to ten years.

ENSURE ACCESS TO THE BALLOT BOX FOR ELIGIBLE VOTERS

Expands Voting Opportunities

The FTVA expands opportunities to cast ballots freely and fairly for all voters.

The bill:

  • Requires all 50 states to offer early voting periods for at least a two-week period prior to Election Day (including on nights and weekends) for at least 10 hours per day, with exceptions for vote-by-mail and small jurisdictions.
  • Creates a national standard of no-excuse vote by mail.
  • Makes Election Day a legal public holiday, making it easier for people to get to the polls.

Protects Voters' Rights

The FTVA will crack down on deceptive and intimidating practices used to deter voters from going to the ballot box.

The bill:

  • Establishes federal criminal penalties for deceiving voters and increases existing consequences for voter intimidation. 
  • Prohibits the dissemination of false and misleading information designed to discourage eligible voters from casting their ballot. 
  • Restores Federal voting rights to formerly incarcerated citizens upon their release.
  • Requires states to ensure that wait times at polling sites last no longer than 30 minutes. 
  • Restricts States from prohibiting donations of basic human necessities such as food or water to voters waiting in line.

BILL INFORMATION

The Freedom to Vote Act will set basic national standards for voting, stop partisan gerrymandering on both sides of the aisle, and strengthen the American people’s faith in our democracy.

FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS

Improve Access

The FTVA expands access to the ballot box by removing barriers to voting such as complicated voter registration systems, restricted access to absentee and mail-in-voting and limited in-person voting hours.

The bill:

  • Expands online voter registration.
  • Implements automatic voter registration at state motor vehicle agencies.
  • Implements same day voter registration across the nation.
  • Expands no-excuse, vote by mail opportunities. 
  • Reduces long lines and wait times for voters.

Promote Integrity

The FTVA ensures the integrity of our elections and protects voters from disinformation.

The bill:

  • Ends partisan gerrymandering on both sides of the aisle .
  • Prohibits intentionally communicating false and misleading information about elections and other deceptive practices.
  • Expands protections for election administrators by extending existing prohibitions on intimidating or threatening voters to include election officials engaged in the counting of ballots, canvassing, and certifying election results.

Ensure Security

The FTVA enhances federal support for secure voting systems and elections.

The bill:

  • Standardizes use of voter-verified paper ballots in Federal elections.
  • Strengthens protections for Federal election records, and extends existing protections to include electronic records and election infrastructure.
  • Authorizes $3.1 billion in grants to states to make cybersecurity improvements and to replace outdated voting systems over the next decade.
  • Requires states to administer post-election audits.

END THE DOMINANCE OF BIG MONEY IN OUR POLITICS

Enhance Disclosure

The FTVA shines a light on dark money in politics and enhances transparency in our campaigns and elections.

The bill:

  • Ensures big money spenders disclose their spending so voters can follow the money. 
  • Establishes online political ad disclosure requirements.

Empower Citizens

The FTVA will strengthen the political power of hardworking Americans.

The bill:

  • Creates a multiple matching system for small donations. This system of citizen owned elections will break the hold of special interests on Congress and will lay the groundwork for a policy agenda that meets the needs of the American people. The voluntary multiple matching system will be paid for by a new surcharge on corporate law breakers and wealthy tax cheats and will never rely on taxpayer funds.

Strengthen Oversight

The FTVA enhances oversight over campaign finance and strengthens enforcement of campaign finance laws.

The bill:

  • Strengthens the rules prohibiting coordination between candidates and outside spending groups.
  • Empowers the non-partisan Federal Election Commission General Counsel’s office to bring enforcement actions for campaign finance violations.
  • Extends the statute of limitation for violations of campaign finance laws to ten years.

ENSURE ACCESS TO THE BALLOT BOX FOR ELIGIBLE VOTERS

Expands voting opportunities

The FTVA expands opportunities to cast ballots freely and fairly for all voters.

The bill:

  • Requires all 50 states to offer early voting periods for at least a two-week period prior to Election Day (including on nights and weekends) for at least 10 hours per day, with exceptions for vote-by-mail and small jurisdictions.
  • Creates a national standard of no-excuse vote by mail.
  • Makes Election Day a legal public holiday, making it easier for people to get to the polls.

Protects Voters' Rights

The FTVA will crack down on deceptive and intimidating practices used to deter voters from going to the ballot box.

The bill:

  • Establishes federal criminal penalties for deceiving voters and increases existing consequences for voter intimidation. 
  • Prohibits the dissemination of false and misleading information designed to discourage eligible voters from casting their ballot. 
  • Restores Federal voting rights to formerly incarcerated citizens upon their release.
  • Requires states to ensure that wait times at polling sites last no longer than 30 minutes. 
  • Restricts States from prohibiting donations of basic human necessities such as food or water to voters waiting in line.

MYTH VS. FACT

The Freedom to Vote Act realizes the promise of democracy for all and ensures every American has a voice and a vote in our democracy by setting basic national standards for voting and ending the dominance of dark money in politics. Read the facts here.

MYTH: The FTVA is a Democratic bill with no Republican support.

FACT: False. The Freedom to Vote Act incorporates numerous longstanding bipartisan policies. In fact, many policies in the Freedom to Vote Act, such as automatic voter registration, online voter registration, same day voter registration, voting rights restoration, no-excuse absentee and mail-in voting, and early voting, are practices currently implemented in red, blue, and purple states. The Freedom to Vote Act sets a Federal standard, ensuring all voters have the same fair and equitable access to the ballot regardless of which state they live in.

MYTH: The FTVA unconstitutionally federalizes and micromanages the election process which should be administered by states.

FACT: False. Congress is well within its Constitutional powers to set standards for Federal elections, as it has done numerous times throughout history. Article 1, Section 4 of the Constitution states: “The Times, Places, and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Places of choosing Senators.” Casting a ballot is the most fundamental element of participating in our democracy. It is Congress’s constitutional duty to ensure that every American can exercise their constitutional right to vote. The Freedom to Vote Act would modernize and further secure our election system and eliminate barriers to voting, ensuring that every American has a free and fair chance to vote, and to do so with the confidence that their vote will be counted as cast.

MYTH: The FTVA will weaken the integrity of elections and will lead to voter fraud.

FACT: False. Election and voter fraud is nearly nonexistent and already illegal. In fact, a study conducted by the Brennan Center for Justice found that it is more likely that an American “will be struck by lightning than that he will impersonate another voter at the polls.” Moreover, security experts agree, the 2020 election was the most secure election in American history. The Freedom to Vote Act securely expands access to voting and strengthens election infrastructure security through grant programs and enhanced cybersecurity standards. Our elections are already safeguarded by numerous Federal and state laws. Impartial and effective enforcement of these laws protects and secures our elections. Furthermore, the voter registration systems in the Freedom to Vote Act, including opportunities for online, automatic, or same-day voter registration, will increase the integrity of our elections systems by alleviating clerical errors and instances of incorrect voter removals that lead to inaccurate voter data and voter disenfranchisement.

MYTH: The FTVA bans photo ID requirements.

FACT: False. The Freedom to Vote Act standardizes voter identification requirements for states with existing voter identification laws and prohibits states from imposing additional identification requirements for in-person voting. It also authorizes the Election Assistance Commission to make grants to states that have a voter identification requirement to issue free voter identification cards. However, it is important to note that the idea that voter ID prevents voter fraud is a myth that has been extensively debunked. For example, a Brennan Center for Justice report explains that many exaggerated instances of “voter fraud” are traced back to clerical or typographical errors. Another comprehensive investigation of voter impersonation found that, from 2000-2014, there were only 31 credible allegations of voter impersonation – the only type of fraud photo IDs could prevent – during a period in which over 1 billion ballots were cast.

MYTH: The FTVA would force states to implement universal vote-by-mail.

FACT: False. The Freedom to Vote Act does not mandate universal voting by mail. It simply ensures that every eligible voter has the option to vote by mail without a required excuse if they wish to do so. Your access to the ballot box should be free and unabridged – if you are unable to vote in person, you shouldn’t lose your opportunity to vote.

MYTH: The FTVA’s public financing system for campaigns will use taxpayer dollars to line the pockets of politicians.

FACT: False. The Freedom to Vote Act specifies that no taxpayer dollars will be used in the small donor public financing system. Right now, corporations, special interests, and big donors overwhelmingly fund campaigns in America. The FTVA would change the equation by implementing a voluntary matching fund system that empowers everyday Americans, not just the big-money crowd. The money for the matching donations would come from a fee assessed on civil and criminal financial penalties against corporate lawbreakers and tax cheats. No taxpayer dollars are spent on the matching system.

MYTH: The FTVA would restrict your First Amendment rights protected by the Constitution by forcing grassroots organizations to publicly report their lists of all donors.

FACT: False. The Freedom to Vote Act shines a light on dark money in our politics and requires shadowy mega donors to disclose their spending and to be accountable for their political speech. Disclosure requirements only apply to groups that spend $10,000 or more on campaign disbursements. And there are built-in protections for organizations: if an organization makes campaign-related disbursements from a segregated bank account, the organization does not have to disclose any donations that were not deposited in the segregated account. Further, the Supreme Court has repeatedly affirmed the constitutionality of disclosure laws and how disclosure does not silence nor prevent speech, but rather works to deter corruption or the appearance of corruption.

MYTH VS. FACT

The Freedom to Vote Act realizes the promise of democracy for all and ensures every American has a voice and a vote in our democracy by setting basic national standards for voting and ending the dominance of dark money in politics. Read the facts here.

MYTH: The FTVA is a Democratic bill with no Republican support.

FACT: False. The Freedom to Vote Act incorporates numerous longstanding bipartisan policies. In fact, many policies in the Freedom to Vote Act, such as automatic voter registration, online voter registration, same day voter registration, voting rights restoration, no-excuse absentee and mail-in voting, and early voting, are practices currently implemented in red, blue, and purple states. The Freedom to Vote Act sets a Federal standard, ensuring all voters have the same fair and equitable access to the ballot regardless of which state they live in.

MYTH: The FTVA unconstitutionally federalizes and micromanages the election process which should be administered by states.

FACT: False. Congress is well within its Constitutional powers to set standards for Federal elections, as it has done numerous times throughout history. Article 1, Section 4 of the Constitution states: “The Times, Places, and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Places of choosing Senators.” Casting a ballot is the most fundamental element of participating in our democracy. It is Congress’s constitutional duty to ensure that every American can exercise their constitutional right to vote. The Freedom to Vote Act would modernize and further secure our election system and eliminate barriers to voting, ensuring that every American has a free and fair chance to vote, and to do so with the confidence that their vote will be counted as cast.

MYTH: The FTVA will weaken the integrity of elections and will lead to voter fraud.

FACT: False. Election and voter fraud is nearly nonexistent and already illegal. In fact, a study conducted by the Brennan Center for Justice found that it is more likely that an American “will be struck by lightning than that he will impersonate another voter at the polls.” Moreover, security experts agree, the 2020 election was the most secure election in American history. The Freedom to Vote Act securely expands access to voting and strengthens election infrastructure security through grant programs and enhanced cybersecurity standards. Our elections are already safeguarded by numerous Federal and state laws. Impartial and effective enforcement of these laws protects and secures our elections. Furthermore, the voter registration systems in the Freedom to Vote Act, including opportunities for online, automatic, or same-day voter registration, will increase the integrity of our elections systems by alleviating clerical errors and instances of incorrect voter removals that lead to inaccurate voter data and voter disenfranchisement.

MYTH: The FTVA bans photo ID requirements.

FACT: False. The Freedom to Vote Act standardizes voter identification requirements for states with existing voter identification laws and prohibits states from imposing additional identification requirements for in-person voting. It also authorizes the Election Assistance Commission to make grants to states that have a voter identification requirement to issue free voter identification cards. However, it is important to note that the idea that voter ID prevents voter fraud is a myth that has been extensively debunked. For example, a Brennan Center for Justice report explains that many exaggerated instances of “voter fraud” are traced back to clerical or typographical errors. Another comprehensive investigation of voter impersonation found that, from 2000-2014, there were only 31 credible allegations of voter impersonation – the only type of fraud photo IDs could prevent – during a period in which over 1 billion ballots were cast.

MYTH: The FTVA would force states to implement universal vote-by-mail.

FACT: False. The Freedom to Vote Act does not mandate universal voting by mail. It simply ensures that every eligible voter has the option to vote by mail without a required excuse if they wish to do so. Your access to the ballot box should be free and unabridged – if you are unable to vote in person, you shouldn’t lose your opportunity to vote.

MYTH: The FTVA’s public financing system for campaigns will use taxpayer dollars to line the pockets of politicians.

FACT: False. The Freedom to Vote Act specifies that no taxpayer dollars will be used in the small donor public financing system. Right now, corporations, special interests, and big donors overwhelmingly fund campaigns in America. The FTVA would change the equation by implementing a voluntary matching fund system that empowers everyday Americans, not just the big-money crowd. The money for the matching donations would come from a fee assessed on civil and criminal financial penalties against corporate lawbreakers and tax cheats. No taxpayer dollars are spent on the matching system.

MYTH: The FTVA would restrict your First Amendment rights protected by the Constitution by forcing grassroots organizations to publicly report their lists of all donors.

FACT: False. The Freedom to Vote Act shines a light on dark money in our politics and requires shadowy mega donors to disclose their spending and to be accountable for their political speech. Disclosure requirements only apply to groups that spend $10,000 or more on campaign disbursements. And there are built-in protections for organizations: if an organization makes campaign-related disbursements from a segregated bank account, the organization does not have to disclose any donations that were not deposited in the segregated account. Further, the Supreme Court has repeatedly affirmed the constitutionality of disclosure laws and how disclosure does not silence nor prevent speech, but rather works to deter corruption or the appearance of corruption.