WASHINGTON DC: On the 60th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, Rep. Kevin Mullin (CA-15) announced he joined Rep. Nikema Williams (GA-05), his co-chair on the Task Force on Strengthening Democracy, in cosponsoring her voting rights legislative package. He is also co-leading the Sustaining Our Democracy Act and the Unhoused Voter Opportunity Through Elections Act. As one of the most comprehensive voting rights packages in congressional history, it enjoys broad, bicameral support

The ten bills introduced address numerous aspects of voting, voter registration, and election administration to ensure everyone who is eligible to vote and wants to vote in a federal election can do so with the confidence that their vote will be counted.

“The right to participate in free and fair elections is the cornerstone of our democracy, and something we can never take for granted. While it’s been 60 years since the Voting Rights Act was passed, today Americans across the country are facing threats to our democracy and their fundamental right to cast a ballot. While Republicans and the President engage in sinister voter suppression efforts, I am proud to join Rep. Nikema Williams and my Democratic colleagues in introducing a package of bills to defend voting rights and our democracy,” said Rep. Kevin Mullin (CA-15).

“As we mark the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, we are unfortunately facing the same struggle for voting rights. The tactics of voter suppression may look different, but the intent remains the same. Congressman John Lewis taught us that every generation has an obligation to move our country one step forward. My legislative package takes a major step to ensuring everyone can practice their fundamental right to vote. In the face of Jim Crow 2.0 and intentionally racist gerrymandering, we urgently need comprehensive national standards to protect voting rights for everyone—no matter your ZIP Code, no matter your bank account,” said Rep. Nikema Williams (GA-05), Co-Chair of the Congressional Voting Rights Caucus and the Task Force for Strengthening Democracy. 

Fifty-one of the country’s leading civil rights organizations have endorsed at least one of Congresswoman Williams’ bills in the legislative package, reflecting its broad support. Some of the endorsing organizations include: GALEO Impact Fund, American Civil Liberties Union. Coalition for the People’s Agenda, End Citizens United, National Alliance to End Homelessness, People Power United , RepresentUs, Georgia Equality, CAIR-Georgia, Indivisible Georgia Coalition, Public Citizen, In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda, Southern Poverty Law Center, Brennan Center for Justice, Demos, The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, and NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund, Inc.

1: Sustaining Our Democracy Act: This bill fully funds election administration around the country. House co-leads: Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Marc Veasey (TX-33), Terri Sewell (AL-7), Robert “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), Julie Johnson (TX-32), and Delia Ramirez (IL-03). Senate Co-lead: Alex Padilla (CA)

2: Unhoused Voter Opportunity Through Elections (VOTE) Act: This bill provides protections and minimum standards for accessibility to voting for unhoused people, and provides resources for efforts to expand access to the ballot for unhoused people. House co-leads: Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05), Terri Sewell (AL-7), Julie Johnson (TX-32), Marc Veasey (TX-33), Robert “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), and Delia Ramirez (IL-03).

3. Expanding the VOTE Act: This bill gives jurisdictions the resources to provide more translations of election materials and ensure everyone, regardless of their level of English language proficiency, can equitably participate in our democracy. House Co-leads: Sharice Davids (KS-3), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Marc Veasey (TX-33), Terri Sewell (AL-7), Robert “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), Joseph Morelle (NY-25), Yvette Clark (NY-09), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), and Grace Meng (NY-06). Senate Co-lead: Alex Padilla (CA)

4: Voters on the Move Registration Act: This bill provides voters with information on how to register to vote and their voting rights under law as they move residences. House co-leads: Marc Veasey (TX-33), Terri Sewell (AL-7), Jesus G. “Chuy” Garcia (IL-04), Robert “Bobby” Scott (VA-03).

5: Election Mail Act: This bill improves the delivery and processing of election mail by setting minimum standards and improving USPS processes.

6: People Over Long Lines (POLL) Act: This bill sets minimum standards for how long people may wait in line to vote and provides resources to reduce voter wait times. House co-lead: Jasmine Crockett (TX-30).

7: Youth Voting Rights Act: This bill enforces the bipartisan-passed Twenty-Sixth Amendment and ensures eligible youth voters can access the ballot box.

8: Time Off to Vote Act: This bill mandates that all workers receive guaranteed time off in order to vote. Senate lead: Mazie Hirono (HI)

9: Help America Run Act: This bill ensures that all Americans who are otherwise qualified to serve this Nation are able to run for office, regardless of their economic status by codifying existing FEC guidance around using campaign funds for caregiving.

10: Countering Harassment and Applying Legal Liability to Effectively Nurture Government Election Stability (CHALLENGES) Act: This bill puts safeguards around the implementation of registration challenge portals and imposes accountability measures for abusing the portals.

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