U.S. Reps. Jim Langevin and Gerald Connolly (D-VA) reintroduced the FAST Voting Act in Washington, Tuesday. The legislation aims to improve voter participation and enhance voting security.
Under the proposal, states could apply for grants to fund initiatives like automatic voter registration. Funds would be awarded based on states’ successes in previous voting reform efforts.
Langevin says innovative solutions are essential to helping people access polls.
“This is especially true for those in need of flexibility or assistance, such as people with disabilities, members of the armed services, seniors, and minority voters,” said Langevin.
Rep. Connolly rejected some states’ efforts to make voter registration harder because of voter fraud claims.
“America doesn’t have a voter fraud problem; we have a participation problem,” said Connolly.
According to data, 59 percent of eligible voters participated in the November election where reports emerged of equipment breakdowns and long waits.
