Pappas Helps House Pass Legislation to Protect Democracy, Restore the Voting Rights Act

Press Release

Today, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) released the following statement after helping the House of Representatives to pass key democracy reform and voting rights legislation:

"We must protect the right to vote and ensure our elections are free and fair. This legislation provides for greater transparency and accountability in our elections and makes it easier to exercise your freedom to vote. There is nothing more important than putting the power of our democracy back in the hands of the people, and I urge the Senate to act on this legislation as quickly as possible."

"I'm pleased this legislation also includes key provisions I've led to safeguard voting rights for young Americans and strengthen the protections of the Twenty-Sixth Amendment. As we fight to restore the protections of the Voting Rights Act we must also stand against systemic efforts to disenfranchise young voters by providing stronger oversight through the Department of Justice. By increasing election transparency and protecting the rights of young Americans, we can encourage the next generation to participate in our democracy and ensure our government is truly of, by, and for the people."

This legislation will enact key elements of H.R. 1 and the H.R.4, both of which Congressman Pappas is a co-sponsor of in the House.

The provisions included in the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act will:

Restore the preclearance provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA) to require states with a record of racial discrimination in voting to seek approval from the Department of Justice in order to enact changes to voting systems;
Expand automatic voter registration and same-day registration;
Strengthen vote by mail, early voting and ballot access;
Establish Election Day as a national holiday;
Stop partisan election subversion.
Protect elections from foreign interference;
End partisan gerrymandering;
Promote digital ad transparency;
Force disclosure of dark money; and
Establish a self-sustaining democracy fund to support investments in state-led innovations around campaign finance, civic education and voting infrastructure.
This legislation also includes youth voting rights provisions that Congressman Pappas has championed as part of his Protect The Youth Vote Act. Specifically, the bill will expand the VRA to cover violations of the 26th Amendment and provide authority for both the private right of action and preventative relief against efforts to undermine young Americans' access to the ballot box.

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