S-2747 : Still Just a Bill

Freedom to Vote Act

This bill addresses voter registration and voting access, election integrity and security, redistricting, and campaign finance.

Specifically, the bill expands voter registration (e.g., automatic and same-day registration) and voting access (e.g., vote-by-mail and early voting). It also limits removing voters from voter rolls.

Next, the bill establishes Election Day as a federal holiday.

The bill declares that the right of a U.S. citizen to vote in any election for federal office shall not be denied or abridged because that individual has been convicted of a criminal offense unless, at the time of the election, such individual is serving a felony sentence.

The bill establishes certain federal criminal offenses related to voting. In particular, the bill establishes a new criminal offense for conduct (or attempted conduct) to corruptly hinder, interfere with, or prevent another person from registering to vote or helping someone register to vote.

Additionally, the bill sets forth provisions related to election security, including by requiring states to conduct post-election audits for federal elections.

The bill outlines criteria for congressional redistricting and generally prohibits mid-decade redistricting.

The bill addresses campaign finance, including by expanding the prohibition on campaign spending by foreign nationals, requiring additional disclosure of campaign-related fundraising and spending, requiring additional disclaimers regarding certain political advertising, and establishing an alternative campaign funding system for certain federal offices.

Action Timeline

Action DateTypeTextSource
2021-10-20FloorMotion by Senator Schumer to reconsider the vote by which cloture on the motion to proceed to S. 2747 was not invoked (Record Vote No. 420) entered in Senate.Senate
2021-10-20VoteCloture on the motion to proceed to the measure not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 49 - 51. Record Vote Number: 420. (CR S7107-7108)Senate
2021-10-18FloorCloture motion on the motion to proceed to the measure presented in Senate. (CR S7028)Senate
2021-10-18FloorMotion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. (CR S7028)Senate
2021-09-15CalendarsRead the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 125.Senate
2021-09-14CalendarsIntroduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.Senate
2021-09-14IntroReferralIntroduced in SenateLibrary of Congress

Policy Area :

Government Operations and Politics
See Subjects
  • Accounting and auditing
  • Administrative law and regulatory procedures
  • Adult day care
  • Buy American requirements
  • Child care and development
  • Civil actions and liability
  • Commemorative events and holidays
  • Computer security and identity theft
  • Congressional districts and representation
  • Congressional elections
  • Congressional oversight
  • Consumer credit
  • Corporate finance and management
  • Correctional facilities and imprisonment
  • Criminal justice information and records
  • Criminal procedure and sentencing
  • Department of the Treasury
  • Digital media
  • Disability and paralysis
  • Disability assistance
  • Domestic violence and child abuse
  • Due process and equal protection
  • Election Assistance Commission
  • Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
  • Executive agency funding and structure
  • Family relationships
  • Federal Election Commission (FEC)
  • Food industry and services
  • Foreign language and bilingual programs
  • Fraud offenses and financial crimes
  • Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
  • Government information and archives
  • Government lending and loan guarantees
  • Government studies and investigations
  • Government trust funds
  • Health care costs and insurance
  • Health care coverage and access
  • House of Representatives
  • Housing and community development funding
  • Housing finance and home ownership
  • Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
  • Internet and video services
  • Internet, web applications, social media
  • Judges
  • Judicial review and appeals
  • Labor-management relations
  • Landlord and tenant
  • Low- and moderate-income housing
  • Manufacturing
  • Military personnel and dependents
  • Political advertising
  • Political parties and affiliation
  • Postal service
  • Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents
  • Public contracts and procurement
  • Public housing
  • Right of privacy
  • Rural conditions and development
  • State and local government operations
  • Subversive activities
  • Supreme Court
  • Tax administration and collection, taxpayers
  • Tax-exempt organizations
  • Voting rights