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Congressman Dan Goldman Announces Bill to Advance Fight for Voting Rights

February 23, 2023

‘Early Voting Act’ Would Ensure 14 Days of In-Person Early Voting for Federal Elections
 
Requires Maximizing Polling Place Accessibility
 
Mandates Early Vote Ballots Be Scanned and Processed Before Election Day to Accelerate Race Calling and Reduce Spread of Disinformation
 
Read the Bill Here

New York, NY – Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10) today announced the Early Voting Act as his first bill in Congress, which would require at least a 14-day window of in-person early voting for federal elections across the country. The bill would also require that election officials maximize polling place accessibility and would take steps to address unacceptably long wait-times for voters in line to cast their ballots and for election results by mandating that election officials start processing and scanning ballots at least 14 days prior to Election Day.
 
“Voting rights across the nation are under attack from anti-democratic extremists and those who prefer that elections are decided by politicians, not voters,” Congressman Dan Goldman said. “The Early Voting Act will require that localities take critically important steps for all federal elections to increase access to the ballot box and protect against the spread of election conspiracy theories. The fundamental right of one person one vote is at the very foundation of our democracy, and we must meet the urgency of the moment with legislative action, not just words.”
 
The Early Voting Act would ensure at least 14 days of in-person early voting and also require that during the early voting period, polling places must be open for at least 10 hours a day for each day during the period, and be scheduled to allow voting for some period of time prior to 9:00 AM and after 5:00 PM local time.  
 
This legislation also requires that in certain circumstances, to the greatest extent practicable, polling places must be located in areas that make them easily accessible to as many people as possible. Where relevant, places must be located:

  • Within walking distance of a stop on a public transportation network.
  • In rural areas of jurisdictions that are at least partly rural.
  • On campus if a locality includes a college or university and on branches of main college campuses.

One major provision of the Early Voting Act would take steps to ensure that as many votes as possible are processed and scanned before election night to minimize the number of races that are still uncalled weeks after election day.  
 
Long delays before a race is officially called often leave an information vacuum that bad actors use to spread disinformation and conspiracy theories that undermine the perceived legitimacy of our elections. Limited exceptions are made in the bill for flexibility in early voting requirements for very small localities with less than 3,000 registered voters and for localities that primarily vote by mail and mail every voter a ballot.  
 
Rev. Al Sharpton, Founder and President of the National Action Network, said, “The first target of those who want to unravel our democracy is always the ballot box. That’s why you’re seeing states systemically peel away the right to vote and how people vote. Congress Member Goldman’s legislation is a step forward in protecting our access to the polls and ensuring our vote is counted.”
 
New York State Assemblymember Inez E. Dickens said, “Early Voting has proven to be demonstrably vital in protecting our rights as voters, especially with the number of states that have passed laws limiting our access. I welcome Congressman Dan Goldman’s effort to give power back to the American voter to voice who they choose to represent them. I myself have supported similar measures here in the state of New York, so we should call upon all our federal representatives to help bring this measure to pass. The fight to be heard and recognized is never at an end.”
 
Counsel at the Brennan Center for Justice Jasleen Singh said, “The Brennan Center is proud to support Representative Goldman’s voting access proposal – the Early Voting Act. Early voting is necessary for protecting access to the ballot and advancing equity. It is also a popular alternative for voters. This bill is an essential piece of legislation to expand and safeguard the freedom to vote.
 
Virginia Kase Solomón, CEO of the League of Women Voters of the U.S., said, “When voting is more accessible, more people vote. Every voter should have the opportunity to participate in our democracy in a manner that suits them, including the option to vote early. We strongly support the Early Voting Act, which would standardize a 14-day early voting window in every state and help ensure that votes are counted in a timely manner. Our democracy is strongest when every voice is heard, and it is essential that the process is accessible for everyone.”

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Issues:Congress