U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) collaborated with Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Chairwoman of the Committee on Rules and Administration, to introduce the Freedom to Vote Act this week. This legislation seeks to improve voting access, implement sensible federal election standards and campaign finance reforms, and protect the integrity of democracy. Notably, the Freedom to Vote Act has gained unanimous backing from all Senate Democrats for the second consecutive year according to a press release.
“We have witnessed a systematic assault on our democracy and it requires a systematic and comprehensive response. This legislation delivers. It’s also urgently needed — to combat new Jim Crow-era voter suppression laws being passed by state legislatures and a radical Supreme Court majority that’s allowing dark money to flood politics,” US Senator Martin Heinrich said.
According to a press release issued on July 21, Senators Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Luján, along with Senator Amy Klobuchar, have introduced the Freedom to Vote Act, aimed at enhancing ballot accessibility, implementing rational federal election standards, and enacting campaign finance reforms to safeguard democracy. This legislation has garnered unanimous support from all Senate Democrats for the second consecutive year. Notably, the bill incorporates input from state and local election officials to ensure effective implementation of reforms and seeks to address partisan gerrymandering and the impact of undisclosed funding on elections according to a press release.
“I am deeply frustrated that Republicans have repeatedly used the filibuster to block us from even beginning debate on bills like the Freedom to Vote Act. But we cannot give up on passing voting rights and election reform legislation. Not when our democracy is on the line,” U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich said, according to the press release.
The bill encompasses three key sections: I. Voter Access and Election Administration focused on improving access through measures like automatic voter registration and same-day voter registration; II. Election Integrity, including safeguards against election interference and promoting voter-verified paper ballots; III. Civic Participation and Empowerment, addressing redistricting reform, disclosure of money in politics, and state-led investments in election systems according to a press release.
“The right to vote is sacred – allowing Americans to choose the direction of our country. Rather than improving voter access, Republican-led state legislatures have deliberately added unnecessary obstacles that limit ballot box access, in the hopes that they can tilt the outcome of elections,” said U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján. “Our democracy is worth fighting for. That’s why Senate Democrats have united to reintroduce the Freedom to Vote Act to oppose voter suppression and improve ballot box access in New Mexico and across the nation.”
“The freedom to vote is fundamental to all of our freedoms, and as we continue to see unprecedented attacks on our democracy in states across the country, it is clear we must take action. These attacks demand a federal response,” said Senator Amy Klobuchar. “The Freedom to Vote Act will set basic national standards to make sure all Americans can cast their ballots in the way that works best for them, regardless of what zip code they live in. This bill will ensure Americans can request a mail-in ballot and have access to drop boxes, have at least two weeks of early voting, and can register to vote on Election Day.”