Rep. Summer Lee (D-PA-12) is introducing the companion bill in the House.
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is reintroducing legislation to create the first-ever affirmative Federal voting rights guarantee for all eligible citizens.
Today, Sen. Ossoff is reintroducing the Right to Vote Act to enshrine into law American citizens’ fundamental right to vote.
First introduced in 2021, Sen. Ossoff’s Right to Vote Act would protect American citizens’ fundamental right to vote by establishing a first-ever statutory right to vote in Federal elections — protecting U.S. citizens from laws that make it harder to cast a ballot.
The bill would allow Americans to enforce that right by challenging in court any policy that unduly restricts ballot access. States attempting to restrict voting access would have to meet a high bar to justify any policy that makes it harder for U.S. citizens to participate in Federal elections.
Representative Summer Lee (D-PA-12) is introducing the companion bill in the House.
Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Angus King (I-ME), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Alex Padilla (D-CA) cosponsored the bill.
“With voting rights under attack in Georgia and across the country, I am reintroducing my legislation to empower voters to challenge in court any action taken by a state or local government that makes it harder to vote, and force that state or that locality to demonstrate that the restrictions serve some governmental purpose and are the least restrictive means of doing so,” said Sen. Ossoff.
“Our democracy cannot work when politicians get to choose who is able to participate in it,” said Congresswoman Summer Lee. “For generations, Black and brown communities, young people, people with disabilities, and working-class voters have faced deliberate barriers designed to silence their voices. And we are watching it happen in real time as Republicans put up roadblock after roadblock to once again shrink the electorate. I am proud to reintroduce this legislation to give people the power to fight back and make their voices heard.”
“Our vote is our voice, and this legislation is needed now more than ever as this administration has made clear that it will do everything in its power to limit access to the ballot box this fall,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “I’m proud to join my brother Senator Ossoff in introducing the Right to Vote Act.”
“The Trump administration continues to threaten election and voter security in California and across the country by undermining trust and weakening access to resources. Free and fair elections are a cornerstone of American democracy. That’s why I am proud to join Senator Ossoff in this fight to guarantee citizens’ right to vote by authorizing voters to challenge in court actions that have been taken to restrict their ballot access,” said Senator Schiff.
“Americans’ right to vote is under attack, and this president is hellbent on undermining our elections to keep his power,” said Hickenlooper. “We’re giving Americans the tools to defend a right the Constitution guarantees.”
“Free and fair elections are the foundation of participatory government, and any threat to the democratic process is a threat to our democracy itself,” said Senator King. “The Right to Vote Act would establish clear protections for voters and help ensure that every eligible American can demonstrate this sacred right in our elections. A healthy democracy depends on broad participation, and this bill will continue to make that participation easier—not harder.”
“When we protect the right to vote, we protect the very foundation of our democracy,” said Senator Padilla. “While the Trump Administration and Republican-led legislatures threaten to restrict ballot access, we must ensure there are safeguards in place to ensure voters can defend their right in court. The right to vote should never be questioned, and Congress must protect every eligible voter’s right to participate in our elections.”
“Our democracy works best when Americans can make their voices heard, and as we continue to see unprecedented attacks on the right to vote across the country, we must take action,” said Klobuchar. “This legislation enables voters to challenge policies that make it more difficult to cast their ballots, empowering people to protect voting rights nationwide.”
“The ballot box is the beating heart of our democracy, but, for far too long, some Americans have faced enormous obstacles or outright denial as they’ve tried to participate in the democratic process. The Right to Vote Act gives Americans the power to contest unfair state laws designed to make it hard for targeted communities to exercise their constitutional right to vote. This defense of voting rights is hugely needed,” said Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR).
“The Right to Vote Act safeguards Americans’ voting rights and defends against attempts to restrict voting access,” said Senator Blumenthal. “The right to vote is a bedrock of our democracy, a government that is supposed to be by and for the people. With unprecedented attacks on voting rights in states across the country, this critical legislation protects access to the ballot box and ensures Americans can exercise their most fundamental right.”
“Nothing is more fundamental to our democracy than ensuring that all citizens can exercise their fundamental right to vote. Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans know their agenda is deeply unpopular, but instead of delivering for the American people, they are working overtime to disenfranchise millions of voters who have the constitutional right to vote them out of office,” said Senator Hirono. “By empowering voters to fight back against restrictions on their voting rights, this legislation will help ensure that every voice can be heard on Election Day.”
“Voting in America is your right. Americans have been beaten, they’ve been bloodied, and they’ve given their lives to secure that right. Disenfranchisement today is more bureaucratic, and it’s more technical, but the results for ordinary citizens is the same: Their voices are shut out of a democracy,” Sen. Cantwell said. “I ask my colleagues to stand up for their constituents — because if we don’t stop this administration’s war on voting rights, I guarantee you, millions of Americans will be disenfranchised.”
Sen. Ossoff continues working to protect voting rights for eligible Georgia voters.
In March 2024, Sen. Ossoff joined Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock, Dick Durbin, Leader Chuck Schumer, and colleagues in reintroducing the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, legislation that would update and restore critical safeguards of the original Voting Rights Act of 1965 that have been eroded in recent years by federal court rulings.
Also in 2024, Sen. Ossoff introduced the Election Worker and Polling Place Protection Act, which would broaden protections for the election workers and volunteers who help administer America’s elections. The bill would also prohibit damage to election infrastructure, such as polling places and tabulation centers, with the intent to interfere with an election.
Click here to read the Right to Vote Act.
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