The League supports the Freedom to Vote Act (S2747) and the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (HR4).

Introduced on Sept. 13, S2747 includes many provisions of the For the People Act (HR1/S1) but reflects feedback from state and local election officials to ensure that the people responsible for implementing these reforms are able to do so effectively. It would improve access to the ballot for Americans, advances commonsense election integrity reforms, and protects our democracy from emerging threats. This federal legislation also elevates the voices of all Americans by curbing partisan gerrymandering and rooting out the undue influence of special interest money in our politics. Click here for an LWVMO Fact Sheet.

The For the People Ac (HR1/S1) was the first bill introduced in both houses of the 117th Congress to support free, fair and accessible elections and voters’ rights. The House approved HR1 on March 4, but a filibuster blocked action in the Senate. 

Senate action is also expected soon on the  John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (HR4)  to restore parts of the 1965 Voting Rights Act that the Supreme Court eliminated in Shelby County vs. Holder (2013). States would again have to receive preapproval from the Department of Justice or the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia before making legal changes to their voting practices. Click here for a fact sheet.