Dems Debut ‘Voter Empowerment Act’ to Modernize Voting

Legislation would prevent disenfranchisement by deception and criminal justice system.

House Democratic leaders on Thursday introduced a bill that will streamline voter registration eligibility for millions of Americans.

The “Voter Empowerment Act of 2012” aims to modernize voter registration and builds on a proposal introduced by New York University’s Brennan Center in 2008.

“We are delighted so many members of Congress came together to support important voting reforms,” said Nicole Austin-Hillery, Director and Counsel of the Brennan Center’s Washington, D.C. office. “We need to strengthen our democracy by making our voting system work better for all Americans.”

According to a Brennan Center press release, the voter registration modernization proposal includes several key reforms to the federal election laws:

• Prevent voter disenfranchisement as a result of “voter caging,” a process that involves efforts to remove registered voters solely on the basis of undeliverable mail;
• End deceptive practices designed to confuse voters on Election Day;
• Restore the right to vote in federal elections to individuals with past criminal convictions; and
• Require voter verified paper ballots and post-election audits to ensure the accuracy of election results.

[ALSO READ: Sen. Cardin Hopeful About Voting Reform Bill]

In April, a Senate bill aiming to address felon disfranchisement was brief by Sen. Ben Cardin and voting rights activists.

Cardin told Loop 21 that his bill to restore rights to ex-offenders was unlikely to pass in the current Congress.

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