U.S. Rep Nikema Williams Announces Historic Voting Rights Legislation Package

By Devon Hesano

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Monday, Aug. 28, U.S. Rep. Nikema Williams (D-Ga.) announced a historic package of legislation that would greatly expand voting rights and improve election administration. Williams introduced seven pieces of legislation last Friday, and will introduce the last legislative piece of the package soon, according to her press release. The announcement comes on the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington, a historic civil rights rally that inspired landmark voting rights legislation. 

Included in the package are six bills that were reintroduced:

  1. The Expanding the VOTE Act, which increases resources for non-English voters,
  2. The Sustaining Our Democracy Act, which provides localities with grant funding to better election administration,
  3. The Voters on the Move Registration Act, which provides those who move residences with legal information and instructions for registering to vote, 
  4. The Election Mail Act, which sets minimum standards for and improves U.S. Postal Services processes for mail-in voting,
  5. The People Over Long Lines Act, which provides resources to reduce waiting times for voters and sets minimum standards for wait times and
  6. The Youth Voting Rights Act, which enforces the 26th Amendment and ensures young eligible voters have adequate access to the ballot box.

The Unhoused Voter Opportunity Through Elections Act, which provides minimum standards, protections and resources to expand voting access for unhoused individuals, is a new piece of legislation introduced by Williams. The Time Off to Vote Act, which mandates that all workers receive time off to vote, has yet to be reintroduced. 

In announcing the legislation, Williams, whose congressional seat was previously held by civil rights icon U.S. Rep. John Lewis (D), said: “My legislative package takes a major step to ensuring everyone has free and fair access to the ballot. As Jim Crow 2.0 continues to rise across the country, we urgently need comprehensive national standards to protect voting rights for everyone—no matter your ZIP Code, no matter your bank account.”

Each piece of legislation has numerous co-sponsors and many are accompanied by a companion bill in the U.S. Senate. 

Read the announcement here.

Track the status of the bills here.