Gluesenkamp Perez, Bipartisan Colleagues Introduce Election Reform and Integrity Legislation

Last week, Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03), along with Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Jared Golden (ME-02), and Andrew Garbarino (NY-02), introduced the bipartisan Let America Vote Act.

The legislation addresses two key principles in the continued fight for election reform and integrity: 

• The right of a U.S. citizen to vote in any taxpayer-funded election for public office shall not be denied or abridged on the grounds of political party affiliation or lack thereof.
  • Requires States to permit access to unaffiliated voters to vote in primary elections for Federal Office.
  • Withholds Federal Funds if a State does not permit access to unaffiliated voters to vote in primary elections for State and Local Office.
  • Provides additional Federal Funds for States to transition to access to primary elections for unaffiliated voters.
  • Protects the information and independence of unaffiliated voters by restricting the use of their voter data.

• No person who is not a citizen shall be permitted or granted the right to vote in any taxpayer-funded election for public office held by or in the United States or any State.
  • Prohibits States from permitting non-citizens to vote in elections for Federal office.
  • Withholds Federal funds if a State permits non-citizens to vote in elections for State and local office.

“In Southwest Washington, we value our independence, know that our beliefs don’t always fit neatly into one box, and recognize there’s not a political party that cares about our community like we do. Good ideas come from both sides of the aisle, and they originate on the ground in our communities, so Americans shouldn’t be denied the right to vote for the candidate of their choosing because they aren’t affiliated with a national political party,” said Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez. “A healthy, functioning democracy also depends on free, fair, and secure elections. We need to uphold the constitutional ideal that decisions made for our country are made by citizens of our country – and our bipartisan legislation will protect the integrity of Americans’ choices at the ballot box.”

“The opportunity to vote is a sacred right of all American citizens. Regrettably, Independent Americans, who by many measures make up more than 40% of the population, are disenfranchised in many state primaries. This is especially true today due to gerrymandering of safe electoral districts by self-interested politicians. This bill ensures these tens of millions of Americans are able to vote in primaries and brings more competition to our elections,” said Rye Barcott, Co-Founder and CEO of With Honor Action. “This is great for democracy irrespective of one’s political party. With Honor Action fully endorses it and applauds Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, Co-Chair of the Problem Solvers Caucus and former FBI agent, and Rep. Jared Golden, a U.S. Marine veteran and former Co-Chair of the For Country Caucus, for leading this Act. Let’s get it passed.”

Last week, Reps. Gluesenkamp Perez and Golden wrote an op-ed outlining their electoral reform proposals and underscoring the urgent need to build a more representative and productive federal government.

The lawmakers previously introduced the legislation in the 118th Congress.