WASHINGTON – Representatives Marcia Fudge (OH-11), Chair of the House Administration Subcommittee on Elections, and James E. Clyburn (SC-6), House Majority Whip, along with Senator Kamala D. Harris (D-CA) on Tuesday partnered to introduce the VoteSafe Act, legislation to expand voting options and improve the safety and accessibility of polling places across the country during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“While the health and safety of voters is a top priority during the current public health emergency, we must make sure the pandemic does not impede full, unfettered access to the ballot box,” said Rep. Fudge.  “Voters must have safe, accessible options and sufficient time to cast their ballots without unnecessary confusion and potential voter disenchantment.  Congress has the responsibility to ensure every eligible American can exercise their right to vote.  I am proud to cosponsor the VoteSafe Act and any legislation preventing and removing barriers to the ballot box; barriers that have plagued our democracy for far too long.”     

“The right to vote is a basic American right and our democracy depends on our citizens having access to the ballot box,” said House Majority Whip Clyburn.  “The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the many challenges Americans face while voting, which is why I’m proud to join Senator Harris and Congresswoman Fudge to introduce the VoteSafe Act today, because it expands voting options to include no-excuse vote by mail and early voting, as well as improve access to voter registration.  This legislation ensures that polling locations and its workers have the resources they need to not only keep themselves safe, but also keep the public safe during this public health crisis.  We must act now to protect every Americans basic right to vote and guarantee that when people do vote, they are safe and have equal access to the ballot box.”

“As our country combats the national emergency around COVID-19, we’re also in the middle of an election year,” said Sen. Harris.  “It is critical that we meet voters where they are and ensure that all forms of voting are safe and accessible.  That is why I am proud to partner with House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn and Rep. Marcia Fudge to introduce the VoteSafe Act, which is centered on the experiences of communities that have long struggled with access to the ballot box.”

The VoteSafe Act would:

• Require states to provide no-excuse mail-in absentee voting for the 2020 elections and guarantee minimum due process protections for these voters;
• Require states to maintain an early in-person voting period of at least 20 days for the 2020 elections;
• Authorize $2.5 billion for states to meet their obligations to offer no-excuse absentee voting and early in-person voting; and
• Provide $2.5 billion in additional discretionary grant funding for states to further improve the safety and accessibility of voting options during the pandemic, including:
  • Ensuring elections are accessible to individuals with disabilities;
  • Ensuring adequate protections for language minority voters;     
  • Ensuring voting access for American Indian, Alaska Native, and rural voters;
  • Implementing and promoting curbside voting;
  • Implementing and meeting a maximum wait time standard or publishing current wait times for voters;
  • Providing for the training and recruitment of poll workers; and
  • Improving access to voter registration.

For the bill text, click here.

For the bill summary, click here.

For a list of original cosponsors and endorsing organizations, click here.

###