Ron Wyden (D-OR)
A resolution designating September 2026 as "National Voting Rights Month".
A Democratic resolution with 28 Democratic cosponsors · See all 30 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR S4737-4738)
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
A Senate resolution is the Senate speaking for itself: stating a position, honouring someone, or setting its own rules. Adopting it is the whole process. Once the Senate agrees to it, it is officially the Senate's word; it is not a law, so the House and the President have no part in it.
What this bill would do
This bill designates September 2026 as National Voting Rights Month. It highlights historical and current voter suppression issues, including Jim Crow laws, felony disenfranchisement, gerrymandering, and recent court decisions. The resolution encourages the public to uphold the right to vote for every citizen. It also calls on Congress to pass specific voting rights legislation and oppose certain voter eligibility bills. Additionally, the text recommends that schools develop educational curricula about voting and suggests funding public service announcements regarding elections.
Yes· 3 of 16
- Scored +8
Would Black Americans be better off under this?
The bill focuses heavily on restoring protections for Black Americans who have historically faced voter suppression.
- Scored +8
Does this protect the right to vote?
The bill encourages the passage of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to restore and modernize protections for minority voters.
- Scored +8
Does this make elections run better?
The resolution promotes voter registration awareness and the strengthening of legal protections against discriminatory gerrymandering.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Educational Awareness: Section (5) recommends that public schools and universities develop an academic curriculum to educate students about the importance of voting, how to register, voting locations, the history of voter suppression, and current voting restrictions. This could positively benefit young citizens by teaching them how to participate in our democracy.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No Negative Impacts Found: The provided text consists entirely of background findings and congressional encouragements or recommendations. There are no sections or provisions within the bill that impose penalties, burdens, or negative consequences on individuals or groups of people in the United States.
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 focuses heavily on restoring protections for Black Americans who have historically faced voter suppression. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill addresses the historical and ongoing need to protect the voting rights of Native Americans. Would Asian Americans be better off under this? — The bill seeks to protect underrepresented minority groups, including Asian Americans, from voter suppression. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — The bill seeks to protect underrepresented minority groups, including Latinos, from voter suppression. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill specifically aims to protect the voting rights of the poor against modern-day poll taxes and restrictions. Would students be better off under this? — The bill recommends that universities develop curricula to educate students on the importance of voting. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The bill notes that disabled voters are currently facing new voting restrictions that the resolution seeks to mitigate. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — The recommendation for educational curricula in schools and universities directly targets young people. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — The bill notes that many elderly voters are currently subject to modern-day voting restrictions. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — The bill promotes general civic engagement and election awareness. Would children be better off under this? — The bill promotes educational curricula for students about the importance of voting.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this protect the right to vote? — The bill encourages the passage of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to restore and modernize protections for minority voters. Does this make casting a ballot easier in practice? — The resolution promotes increased awareness of election dates, registration deadlines, and different forms of voting through public service announcements. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill's focus on protecting the voting rights of the poor may indirectly support long-term political empowerment.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make elections run better? — The resolution promotes voter registration awareness and the strengthening of legal protections against discriminatory gerrymandering.
- Education And Technology
- Does this make it easier to use public money at a school other than the local one? — The bill recommends that schools develop curricula regarding the importance of voting and its history.
- 9/15/2026
- Submitted in Senate
- Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR S4737-4738)
- 30 Cosponsors added.
2 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.
Angela AlsobrooksDemocrat · Maryland
Tammy BaldwinDemocrat · Wisconsin
Michael BennetDemocrat · Colorado
Richard BlumenthalDemocrat · Connecticut
Cory BookerDemocrat · New Jersey
Lisa Blunt RochesterDemocrat · Delaware
Maria CantwellDemocrat · Washington
Christopher CoonsDemocrat · Delaware
Richard DurbinDemocrat · Illinois
Tammy DuckworthDemocrat · Illinois
John FettermanDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Mazie HironoDemocrat · Hawaii
Martin HeinrichDemocrat · New Mexico
Amy KlobucharDemocrat · Minnesota
Angus KingIndependent · Maine
Timothy KaineDemocrat · Virginia
Ben LujánDemocrat · New Mexico
Edward MarkeyDemocrat · Massachusetts
Jeff MerkleyDemocrat · Oregon
Alex PadillaDemocrat · California
Bernie SandersIndependent · Vermont
Adam SchiffDemocrat · California
Jeanne ShaheenDemocrat · New Hampshire
Brian SchatzDemocrat · Hawaii
Tina SmithDemocrat · Minnesota
Chris Van HollenDemocrat · Maryland
Peter WelchDemocrat · Vermont
Sheldon WhitehouseDemocrat · Rhode Island
Mark WarnerDemocrat · Virginia
Elizabeth WarrenDemocrat · Massachusetts