Rep. Susan Davis from San Diego put her mark on a election reform bill that passed the House on Friday by authoring three key provisions.
Davis’ contributions to the 700-page bill lift restrictions on absentee voting, establish ethics rules for state elections officials and allow voters to track their absentee ballots to ensure they are counted.
“The For the People Act shifts the balance of power from the special interests and back to the American people,” said Davis, a member of the House Administration Committee, which oversees federal elections.
“Voting rights are being eroded in many states and the federal government is exercising its constitutional responsibility to ensure Americans’ access to the ballot box,” added Davis, a Democrat who represents the 53rd District in central San Diego County. “We have a responsibility to protect and strengthen our democracy for current and future generations.”
Other provisions of the new legislation end partisan gerrymandering, provide automatic voter registration, expand early voting and require presidential candidates to release their tax returns.
H.R. 1 passed 234 to 193 along party lines, but is not expected to pass the Republican-controlled Senate.
