WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), a member of the Committee on Rules and Administration with oversight over federal elections and campaign finance law and California’s former Secretary of State, joined Senate Democrats in introducing the Freedom to Vote Act, legislation to improve access to the ballot for Americans, advance commonsense federal election standards and campaign finance reforms, and protect our democracy. The Freedom to Vote Act has received the full support of Senate Democrats for the second year in a row. 

The Freedom to Vote Act would improve voter access by implementing reliable best practices in states for voter registration and election administration to ensure all Americans can easily exercise their constitutional right to vote regardless of where they live. The legislation would promote confidence in elections, stop partisan election subversion, and protect against election interference, both foreign and domestic. It would also prevent partisan manipulation of the redistricting process, establish uniform disclosure standards for money in politics, and empower states to make critical investments in their election systems. 

“As Republican-controlled state legislatures across the country continue to disenfranchise voters and suppress the right to vote, it is critical that we make it easier, not harder, for eligible Americans to participate in elections,” said Senator Padilla. “This legislation includes proven reforms that I helped implement as California’s top elections official to make our elections more accessible and more secure. It puts an end to partisan gerrymandering, protects access to the ballot box, and ensures our elections can’t be bought — because our democracy works best when everyone’s voice is heard.”

Full text of the bill is available here.

Senator Padilla believes that our democracy is strongest when every eligible American participates. He is a champion for stronger voting rights, bipartisan election administration reforms, and increased funding to modernize and secure our elections. Padilla recently introduced the Protecting Election Administration from Interference Act to expand protections against election interference during the ballot counting and certification processes, and the Support our Election Workers Act to help recruit and retain election workers and keep them safe from threats and harassment.

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