The new bill, called the Freedom of Voting Act, leaves some controversial elements of the initial bill, such as the restructuring of the Federal Electoral Commission and the public funding of large-scale congressional elections, a proposal ridiculed by Republicans. . But it maintains provisions to set national standards for access to the polls, a response to the voting restrictions that Republican legislatures have enacted across the country since the 2020 election.
It would create a voter identification requirement, something many Democrats have vehemently opposed. But the requirement would be much less onerous than some states have tried to impose, allowing voters to present a variety of cards and IDs in paper and digital format. Democrats say the new Republican laws are specifically aimed at discouraging the participation of minority and low-income voters who may not have the specific identification that some states require.
The revised measure would also require states to allow a minimum of 15 consecutive days of early voting, including two weekends; ensure that all voters can apply to vote by mail; establish new automatic voter registration programs; and turn Election Day into a national holiday.
It would force states to follow specific criteria when drawing up new congressional district lines to reduce partisan disarray and would force donor disclosure to so-called dark money groups. It would also establish new federal protections against partisan interference for state and local election administrators.
“After the 2020 election, in which Americans voted more than ever, we have seen unprecedented attacks on our democracy in states across the country,” said Sen. Amy Klobuchar, the Minnesota Democrat who leads The Rules Committee, which is responsible for overseeing elections. . “These attacks demand an immediate federal response.”
Mr Manchin had rejected the original legislation and offered elements of a voting bill he would support, boosting his negotiations with Mrs Klobuchar and other Democratic senators: Jeff Merkley of Oregon, Tim Kaine of Virginia, Jon Tester of Montana, Alex Padilla of California and Raphael Warnock of Georgia. Senator Angus King, an independent from Maine, also participated.
While Democrats cheered on the new version, they also acknowledged that they were very unlikely to attract enough Republican support to break an obstacle against any voting bill. With Democrats controlling 50 votes in the Senate, they would need 10 Republicans to join them in supporting legislation to reach the 60-vote threshold needed to overcome a filibuster, an extremely unlikely scenario. That means they would have to unite to force a change in Senate rules governing the filibuster if the legislation had a chance.