Rep. Ellison Introduces Bills to Make Voting Easier For Americans

Statement

Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) introduced the Same Day Voter Registration Act (H.R. 3276) and the Voter Access Protection Act (H.R. 3277) today to make it easier for Americans to register to vote by allowing same day registration at polling places for all federal elections and banning voter ID laws.

"As we approach the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, voter participation is at a historic low," Rep. Ellison said. "One in three eligible Americans voted in 2014. We need a resurgence of civic participation. It's time to make voting as easy as possible for every eligible voter. Improving turnout in our elections isn't hard--it takes common sense legislation like the Same Day Voter Registration Act and the Voter Access Protection Act."

"I am proud Minnesota was the first state to enact same day voting registration in 1974. It is time to ensure Americans in all states share the same access to the polls," Rep. Ellison continued.

Studies estimate that if we had same day voting registration in 2012, 3-4 million more people would have voted. The Same Day Registration Act requires states to provide same day registration for all federal elections.

21 million Americans do not have a government-issued photo ID, a disproportionate number of them are elderly, low-income, people of color, or have a disability. Restrictive voter ID laws tell these people that they don't count. The Voter Access Protection Act prohibits election officials from requiring a government issued photo ID to cast a vote or register to vote.

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