# Plain Language Summary: Freedom to Vote Act

The Freedom to Vote Act is a comprehensive federal voting rights bill designed to make it easier for Americans to vote and to establish consistent voting standards across all states. The bill addresses several major voting procedures that currently vary widely depending on where you live. It would require all states to allow same-day voter registration, enable people to vote early in person for at least two weeks before Election Day, and permit no-excuse absentee voting so anyone can vote by mail without having to provide a reason. The bill also aims to prevent voter purges (when election officials remove people from voter rolls) by requiring states to follow strict procedures before removing anyone from the voting list, protecting people from accidentally losing their right to vote due to administrative errors.

Beyond registration and voting methods, the bill tackles gerrymandering—the practice where politicians redraw district lines to favor their party—by requiring states to use independent commissions to draw congressional districts rather than allowing politicians to do it themselves. It also addresses voter ID requirements by allowing people to vote using various forms of identification, including sworn statements, and prevents states from rejecting ballots based on minor signature mismatches. Additionally, the bill would restore voting rights to people with felony convictions who have completed their sentences, though it excludes those currently incarcerated.

The bill also includes provisions to protect election workers and volunteers from intimidation, requires states to provide better access to voting for people with disabilities, and establishes new rules around voter challenges to prevent systematic efforts to remove eligible voters from the rolls. For everyday Americans, this means the bill would make voting more accessible regardless of which state you live in, reduce barriers to participation, and create more uniform voting procedures nationwide. However, the bill has been controversial, with supporters arguing it protects voting rights and opponents contending it overrides state authority and could compromise election security.

Freedom to Vote Act

Klobuchar, Amy

Freedom to Vote Act This bill addresses voter registration and voting access, election integrity and security, redistricting, and campaign finance. Specifically, the bill expands voter registration (e.g., automatic and same-day registration) and voting access (e.g., vote-by-mail and early voting). It also limits removing voters from voter rolls. Next, the bill establishes Election Day as a federal holiday. The bill declares that 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. The bill establishes certain federal criminal offenses related to voting. In particular, the bill establishes a new criminal offense for conduct (or attempted conduct) to corruptly hinder, interfere with, or prevent another person from registering to vote or helping someone register to vote. Additionally, the bill sets forth provisions related to election security, including by requiring states to conduct post-election audits for federal elections. The bill outlines criteria for congressional redistricting and generally prohibits mid-decade redistricting. The bill addresses campaign finance, including by expanding the prohibition on campaign spending by foreign nationals, requiring additional disclosure of campaign-related fundraising and spending, requiring additional disclaimers regarding certain political advertising, and establishing an alternative campaign funding system for certain federal offices.