Bill Overview
Title: Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act
Description: This bill addresses voter registration and voting access, election integrity and security, redistricting, campaign finance, and voting rights. Specifically, the bill expands voter registration (e.g., automatic and same-day registration) and voting access (e.g., vote-by-mail and early voting). It also limits removing voters from voter rolls. Next, the bill establishes Election Day as a federal holiday. The bill establishes certain federal criminal offenses related to voting. In particular, the bill establishes a new criminal offense for conduct (or attempted conduct) to corruptly hinder, interfere with, or prevent another person from registering to vote or helping someone register to vote. Additionally, the bill sets forth provisions related to election security, including by requiring states to conduct post-election audits for federal elections. The bill outlines criteria for congressional redistricting and generally prohibits mid-decade redistricting. The bill addresses campaign finance, including by expanding the prohibition on campaign spending by foreign nationals and establishing an alternative campaign funding system for certain federal offices. Next, the bill establishes new criteria for determining which states and political subdivisions must obtain preclearance before changes to voting practices may take effect. Preclearance is the process of receiving preapproval from the Department of Justice or the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia before making legal changes that would affect voting rights. The bill also includes provisions related to federally protected activities at polling places and voting access on tribal lands.
Sponsors: Rep. Beyer, Donald S., Jr. [D-VA-8]
Target Audience
Population: all voting-eligible individuals worldwide in democracies
Estimated Size: 258000000
- The bill expands voter registration and voting access, affecting all eligible voters by increasing opportunities to register and vote.
- It establishes Election Day as a federal holiday, which impacts all working citizens who will benefit from having the day off to vote.
- The bill requires election security measures and post-election audits, impacting all voters who will have greater trust in election outcomes.
- Criteria for congressional redistricting and the prohibition on mid-decade redistricting affect voters by potentially changing their electoral districts and representation.
- The expansion of campaign finance rules impacts voters by potentially changing the influence of money in politics and ensuring fairer elections.
- Preclearance criteria affect states and political subdivisions with histories of voting rights violations, impacting voters in those areas by protecting against discriminatory practices.
Reasoning
- The policy targets a large population of eligible voters, hence it is crucial to examine a diverse set of individuals to understand its impact.
- The budget limits suggest focus on key changes that can be feasibly funded, like voter registration expansion and election security.
- Consideration of urban vs. rural impact differences; urban areas may benefit more from early voting opportunities, while rural areas may see enhancements via mail voting.
- The policy's provisions on campaign finance and redistricting could affect the perceived fairness of elections, potentially impacting wellbeing.
- Policy impact on different demographics, such as minorities and low-income individuals, needs inclusion as they may experience barriers differently.
- The policy is expected to improve access and trust in the election process, which could lead to increased civic engagement and satisfaction.
Simulated Interviews
High school teacher (Atlanta, Georgia)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe this policy will make voting easier for people with busy schedules like mine.
- Making Election Day a holiday takes away the stress of having to juggle work and voting.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Software engineer (Des Moines, Iowa)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I support the act as it seems to secure the voting process without overstepping.
- As a remote worker, the vote-by-mail options are particularly appealing.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Retired farmer (Rural Nebraska)
Age: 64 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Expanding vote-by-mail is beneficial in rural areas where polling places can be far away.
- Ensuring the integrity of elections is crucial; I welcome the audits imposed by the policy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
University student (San Francisco, California)
Age: 22 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The automatic voter registration is a game-changer, especially for students.
- This act feels inclusive and addresses fairness which is essential to get young voters out.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Small business owner (Austin, Texas)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am concerned about the costs but the benefits like fairer elections and more access are clear.
- Having Election Day as a holiday helps my employees, which in turn helps me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Nurse (Chicago, Illinois)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I often miss voting because of work, so early voting and vote-by-mail are crucial for me.
- Making Election Day a holiday is a huge benefit for healthcare workers.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Retired teacher (Phoenix, Arizona)
Age: 67 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Protecting voting rights via this act is important for maintaining democracy.
- Post-election audits improve trust in the system, which has felt shaky recently.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Freelance journalist (New York, New York)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The media tends to influence politics considerably, so adjusting campaign finance is a step in the right direction.
- This policy overall boosts the credibility of our election processes, which is necessary.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Retired nurse (Miami, Florida)
Age: 72 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- For elderly residents, voting by mail is very practical.
- I'm worried about confusion with redistricting, but overall benefits seem positive.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Warehouse worker (Los Angeles, California)
Age: 19 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Expanding voter registration processes makes it easier for young people like me to take part in elections.
- The aspect of community security and fairness is important to ensure our voices are valued.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $200000000 (Low: $150000000, High: $250000000)
Year 2: $150000000 (Low: $125000000, High: $200000000)
Year 3: $150000000 (Low: $125000000, High: $200000000)
Year 5: $175000000 (Low: $150000000, High: $225000000)
Year 10: $200000000 (Low: $175000000, High: $250000000)
Year 100: $300000000 (Low: $250000000, High: $350000000)
Key Considerations
- Administration of new voter registration systems and the designation of a federal holiday could have long-term operational and financial implications for state and local governments.
- The policy may lead to increased legal challenges or compliance costs related to new voting and election security requirements.
- Improved voter access and participation could enhance democratic legitimacy and influence governance positively.