This morning senators introduced the Freedom to Vote Act. This bill represents the next step forward for the For the People Act. Its sponsors are Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tim Kaine, Angus King, Joe Manchin, Jeff Merkley, Alex Padilla, Jon Tester, and Raphael Warnock.
Michael Waldman, president of the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law, had the following comment:
“The Freedom to Vote Act is a very strong bill. It gives powerful new momentum to the fight to protect democracy. It should be passed, and soon.
“The Freedom to Vote Act would protect millions of Americans’ access to the ballot box, now under siege by state laws meant to disenfranchise voters and subvert our elections. It would defend civil rights and advance racial justice. It would ban gerrymandering, which entrenches political party control and denies communities of color fair representation. It would curb the role of big money in our democracy through stronger rules on campaign finance and voluntary public financing of elections with an innovative new funding mechanism.
“There is now no substitute for action. As redistricting unfolds across the country, time is of the essence. Lawmakers from both parties should embrace this new legislation, and will do so if they are serious about protecting democracy.”
