A Democratic bill with 9 Democratic cosponsors · See all 10 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Right to Vote Act" establishes that every citizen of legal voting age has a fundamental right to vote in Federal elections. It prohibits governments from diminishing or substantially impairing the ability to vote unless they meet specific, strict requirements. The bill creates a legal framework for civil actions to challenge such diminishments or impairments in court. It outlines specific standards of proof for both plaintiffs and the government during judicial review. Additionally, the Act mandates that courts expedite the resolution of these legal actions.
Yes· 3 of 12
- Scored +8
Does this protect the right to vote?
The bill establishes a fundamental right to vote for all legal voting age citizens and creates strict judicial standards to prevent the diminishment or impairment of voting access.
- Scored +8
Does this make casting a ballot easier in practice?
By defining vote to include registration and ballot counting, the bill provides legal protections for the entire process of casting and recording a ballot.
- Scored +6
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
By preventing the diminishment of voting access, the bill protects low-income citizens who may face more barriers to voting.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Establishment of Fundamental Rights: Section 2(a) declares that every citizen of legal voting age has a fundamental right to vote in elections for Federal office.
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Protection Against Diminished Voting Ability: Section 2(b) prevents governments from diminishing the ability to vote unless the action is the least restrictive means to further an important, particularized government interest.
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Protection Against Substantial Impairment: Section 2(c) prohibits governments from substantially impairing the ability to vote unless the action significantly furthers an important, particularized governmental interest.
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Expanded Definition of Voting: Section 4(4) defines "vote" to include all necessary actions like registration, casting a ballot, and ensuring the ballot is counted.
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Legal Recourse and Expedited Review: Section 3(a) and 3(c) allow citizens to bring civil actions in specific district courts to seek relief, while requiring courts to expedite the disposition of these actions and appeals.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Increased Burden on Government Interest: Under Section 2(b) and 2(c), the government is restricted from implementing laws or practices that diminish or impair voting unless they meet very specific and strict standards.
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Shifting Burden of Proof: According to Section 3(b), once a plaintiff establishes a prima facie case by a preponderance of the evidence, the government must then demonstrate its justification by clear and convincing evidence.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would Black Americans be better off under this? — The bill provides stronger legal protections against practices that could disproportionately impact minority voting access. Would Asian Americans be better off under this? — The bill provides stronger legal protections against practices that could disproportionately impact minority voting access. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — The bill provides stronger legal protections against practices that could disproportionately impact minority voting access. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — By preventing the diminishment of voting access, the bill protects low-income citizens who may face more barriers to voting. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill provides stronger legal protections against practices that could disproportionately impact minority voting access. Would people in cities be better off under this? — The bill ensures the integrity of the voting process, which impacts all residents regardless of location. Would white Americans be better off under this? — The bill reinforces the fundamental right to vote for all citizens regardless of race. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — The bill protects the fundamental right to vote, which is a critical aspect of civic engagement for young adults.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make casting a ballot easier in practice? — By defining vote to include registration and ballot counting, the bill provides legal protections for the entire process of casting and recording a ballot. Does this protect the right to vote? — The bill establishes a fundamental right to vote for all legal voting age citizens and creates strict judicial standards to prevent the diminishment or impairment of voting access.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — The bill establishes specific evidentiary standards and expedited judicial review for those seeking to protect their voting rights. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill increases transparency by providing legal mechanisms for citizens to challenge governmental actions that impede voting access.
- 6/24/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
- 10 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
5 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Richard BlumenthalDemocrat · Connecticut
Maria CantwellDemocrat · Washington
John HickenlooperDemocrat · Colorado
Mazie HironoDemocrat · Hawaii
Amy KlobucharDemocrat · Minnesota
Angus KingIndependent · Maine
Jeff MerkleyDemocrat · Oregon
Alex PadillaDemocrat · California
Adam SchiffDemocrat · California
Raphael WarnockDemocrat · Georgia