S 2344 United States Senate · 118th Congress

Freedom to Vote Act

# Summary of Comprehensive Election Reform Bill This document is a comprehensive voting rights and election reform bill containing multiple titles with various provisions designed to: 1. **Restore voting rights** for citizens with criminal convictions (Democracy Restoration Act) - Restores voting rights for citizens not serving felony sentences in correctional institutions - Requires states to notify individuals of restored voting rights upon release or probation - Establishes enforcement mechanisms through civil actions 2. **Strengthen voter identification requirements** - Establishes a broad list of acceptable identification documents - Requires states to provide government-issued identification at no cost - Allows for provisional ballots with sworn statements for those without ID - Includes provisions for electronic documents and copies 3. **Prohibit voter caging and improper voter list maintenance** - Bans the use of "voter caging" documents or lists as evidence for challenging voter eligibility - Establishes strict conditions for removing voters from registration lists - Requires objective and reliable evidence for removals - Mandates notification procedures for voters removed from lists 4. **Enhance election integrity protections** - Prohibits interference with voter registration (including hindering, interfering with, or preventing registration) - Restricts removal of local election administrators to cases of inefficiency, neglect, or malfeasance - Protects election workers from intimidation and harassment - Bans deceptive practices regarding election information within 60 days of an election - Establishes criminal penalties for deceptive election practices 5. **Provides enforcement mechanisms** - Establishes private rights of action for violations - Includes civil and criminal penalties for violations - Requires reports to the Department of Justice for removals of election administrators - Sets specific timeframes for notification and corrective actions The bill aims to expand voting access while maintaining election integrity, with provisions designed to protect voting rights, prevent discrimination, and ensure fair administration of elections for Federal office.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jul 2023
Committee Review
Floor Vote
President
Introduced Jul 18, 2023 Last action Jul 18, 2023
Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
2
Key actions
0
Committee
1
Jul 18, 2023
Committee
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
upper
Jul 18, 2023
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
upper
1 primary · 50 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Amy Klobuchar
Amy Klobuchar
DDemocratic
MN
n/a
Co
Photo of Alex Padilla
Alex Padilla
DDemocratic
CA
n/a
Co
Photo of Angus S. King, Jr.
Angus S. King, Jr.
IIndependent
ME
n/a
Co
Photo of Ben Ray Luján
Ben Ray Luján
DDemocratic
NM
n/a
Co
Photo of Benjamin L. Cardin
Benjamin L. Cardin
DDemocratic
MD
n/a
Co
Photo of Bernard Sanders
Bernard Sanders
IIndependent
VT
n/a
Co
Photo of Brian Schatz
Brian Schatz
DDemocratic
HI
n/a
Co
Photo of Catherine Cortez Masto
Catherine Cortez Masto
DDemocratic
NV
n/a
Co
Photo of Charles E. Schumer
Charles E. Schumer
DDemocratic
NY
n/a
Co
Photo of Chris Van Hollen
Chris Van Hollen
DDemocratic
MD
n/a
Co
Photo of Christopher A. Coons
Christopher A. Coons
DDemocratic
DE
n/a