The Freedom to Vote Act: Expanding Access and Protecting Democracy

Background

The Freedom to Vote Act is a comprehensive bill introduced by Rep. John Sarbanes in July 2023. It aims to protect and expand Americans' access to the ballot box, reduce the influence of big money in politics, and strengthen federal election standards.

Key Provisions

The bill includes several key provisions, including: * Expanding early voting and mail-in voting options * Making Election Day a national holiday * Establishing automatic voter registration * Restricting partisan gerrymandering * Increasing campaign finance transparency * Limiting the influence of dark money

Threats to American Democracy

The Freedom to Vote Act is a response to a number of recent threats to American democracy. In 2020, the United States experienced record voter turnout, but this was accompanied by widespread attempts to suppress the vote. These efforts included restrictive voter ID laws, voter roll purges, and cuts to polling place locations. The January 6th insurrection was another stark reminder of the fragility of American democracy. The attack on the Capitol was fueled by baseless claims of voter fraud, highlighting the importance of protecting the integrity of the electoral process.

Importance of the Freedom to Vote Act

The Freedom to Vote Act is vital to ensuring that every American has the opportunity to participate in our democracy. By expanding voting access, reducing the influence of big money, and strengthening election standards, the bill will help to protect the integrity of our electoral system and ensure that the voices of all Americans are heard.