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119-hr-9437119th Congress
Right to Vote Act
Sponsored By: Representative Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would establish a civil-rights framework that treats voting in federal elections as a _fundamental right to vote in Federal elections_. It would bar government actions that retrogress or substantially impair a person’s ability to vote unless the government can show a narrowly tailored, important, particularized interest and no less restrictive alternative exists.
Show full summary
- Voters: It defines “vote” to cover registration, casting a ballot, and having that ballot counted. It prohibits laws or actions that reduce voting ability or significantly hinder voting without stringent justification.
- Courts and challengers: It creates a two-tier proof system. For retrogression a plaintiff must show a prima facie loss by a preponderance and the government must rebut with clear and convincing evidence, with courts required to consider less restrictive alternatives; similar standards apply for substantial impairment. It directs courts to expedite cases and authorizes attorney’s fees under the statute aligned with 42 U.S.C. 1988(b).
- Governments and covered entities: “Covered entity” explicitly includes the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and U.S. territories. Key provisions apply to federal-election rules in effect after September 1, 2026, with some retrogression rules tied to laws not in effect during the November 2024 general election.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
A national right to vote
If enacted, the bill would declare that every citizen of legal voting age has a fundamental right to vote in Federal elections. This declaration would take effect upon enactment. The statement would raise the legal protection for voting access and would guide how courts apply the Act.
Tougher rules blocking voting limits
If enacted, the bill would bar government actions that diminish or substantially impair the ability to vote in Federal elections unless strict tests are met. Plaintiffs would first show diminishment or substantial impairment by a preponderance of the evidence. The government could only justify such actions with clear and convincing proof that the action significantly furthers an important, particularized interest, and courts must invalidate the action if a less-restrictive alternative exists. The retrogression (diminishment) rule is aimed at actions not in effect during the November 2024 general election but that will apply on or after September 1, 2026; the substantial-impairment rule applies to actions effective for Federal elections after September 1, 2026.
Definitions for who and what is covered
If enacted, the bill would define key words used in the Act. "Covered entity" would include the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and each U.S. territory and possession. It would adopt existing Federal Election Campaign Act meanings for "election" and "Federal office." "Government" would include persons acting under color of law, and "vote" would cover registration, casting a ballot, and having it counted. These definitions would take effect upon enactment and shape who can sue and what acts are covered.
Faster cases and lawyer fees for voters
If enacted, the bill would require federal courts to advance and expedite Right to Vote Act cases and appeals. Plaintiffs could bring suits in D.C. or in the district where the violation or a defendant is located, and could seek declaratory or injunctive relief. Process may be served in any district where a defendant can be found. The bill would also amend 42 U.S.C. 1988(b) so successful Right to Vote Act plaintiffs could recover attorney's fees. These rules would take effect upon enactment.
No new power to limit voting; severability
If enacted, the bill would say that nothing in the Act authorizes a government to burden the right to vote in Federal elections. It would also say the Act does not change State or U.S. constitutional rights or limit other legal remedies. The bill would include a severability rule so that if one part is held unconstitutional, the rest remains in effect. These points would take effect upon enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12]
PA • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2]
CO • D
Sponsored 6/24/2026
Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8]
IL • D
Sponsored 6/24/2026
Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12]
MI • D
Sponsored 6/24/2026
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Sponsored 6/24/2026
Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3]
IL • D
Sponsored 6/24/2026
Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4]
IL • D
Sponsored 6/24/2026
Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17]
PA • D
Sponsored 6/24/2026
Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13]
MI • D
Sponsored 6/24/2026
Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4]
GA • D
Sponsored 6/24/2026
Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12]
CA • D
Sponsored 6/24/2026
Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-50]
CA • D
Sponsored 6/24/2026
Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3]
PA • D
Sponsored 6/24/2026
Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12]
NJ • D
Sponsored 6/24/2026
Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1]
IL • D
Sponsored 6/24/2026
Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7]
IN • D
Sponsored 6/24/2026
Rep. Casar, Greg [D-TX-35]
TX • D
Sponsored 6/24/2026
Rep. Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10]
FL • D
Sponsored 6/24/2026
Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2]
MN • D
Sponsored 6/24/2026
Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4]
VA • D
Sponsored 6/24/2026
Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7]
MA • D
Sponsored 6/24/2026
Rep. Veasey, Marc A. [D-TX-33]
TX • D
Sponsored 6/24/2026
Rep. Omar, Ilhan [D-MN-5]
MN • D
Sponsored 6/24/2026
Rep. Green, Al [D-TX-9]
TX • D
Sponsored 6/24/2026
Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11]
OH • D
Sponsored 7/2/2026
Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42]
CA • D
Sponsored 7/2/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov