Reps. Lee, Neguse, Sen. Ossoff Reintroduce Right to Vote Act to Establish First-Ever Statutory Right to Vote in Federal Elections

Bill Text (PDF)

WASHINGTON, D.C. - JUNE 24, 2026 - Today, Congresswoman Summer L. Lee (PA-12), Assistant Democratic Leader Joe Neguse (CO-02), and Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA) reintroduced the Right to Vote Act, legislation to establish the first-ever affirmative federal voting-rights guarantee for all eligible citizens.

The Right to Vote Act would enshrine in federal law Americans' fundamental right to vote in federal elections and protect citizens from state and local laws that make it harder to cast a ballot.

The legislation would allow Americans to enforce that right by challenging in court policies that unduly restrict access to the ballot. Governments seeking to impose substantial burdens on voting access would have to meet a stringent legal standard to justify those restrictions.

"Our democracy cannot work when politicians get to choose who is able to participate in it," said Congresswoman Summer Lee. "For generations, Black and brown communities, young people, people with disabilities, and working-class voters have faced deliberate barriers designed to silence their voices. And we are watching it happen in real time as Republicans put up roadblock after roadblock to once again shrink the electorate. I am proud to reintroduce this legislation to give people the power to fight back and make their voices heard."

"Generations of brave, patriotic Americans have made great sacrifices to safeguard voting rights, and I'm honored to join Congresswoman Lee and Senator Ossoff in taking up this baton and reintroducing our bill to ensure all legally eligible voters can cast their ballot," said Congressman Neguse.

"With voting rights under attack in Georgia and across the country, I am reintroducing my legislation to empower voters to challenge in court any action taken by a state or local government that makes it harder to vote, and force that state or that locality to demonstrate that the restrictions serve some governmental purpose and are the least restrictive means of doing so," said Sen. Ossoff.

"Our vote is our voice, and this legislation is needed now more than ever as this administration has made clear that it will do everything in its power to limit access to the ballot box this fall," said Senator Reverend Warnock. "I'm proud to join my brother Senator Ossoff in introducing the Right to Vote Act."

"The Trump administration continues to threaten election and voter security in California and across the country by undermining trust and weakening access to resources. Free and fair elections are a cornerstone of American democracy. That's why I am proud to join Senator Ossoff in this fight to guarantee citizens' right to vote by authorizing voters to challenge in court actions that have been taken to restrict their ballot access," said Senator Schiff.

"Americans' right to vote is under attack, and this president is hellbent on undermining our elections to keep his power," said Hickenlooper. "We're giving Americans the tools to defend a right the Constitution guarantees."

"Free and fair elections are the foundation of participatory government, and any threat to the democratic process is a threat to our democracy itself," said Senator King. "The Right to Vote Act would establish clear protections for voters and help ensure that every eligible American can demonstrate this sacred right in our elections. A healthy democracy depends on broad participation, and this bill will continue to make that participation easier-not harder."

"When we protect the right to vote, we protect the very foundation of our democracy," said Senator Padilla. "While the Trump Administration and Republican-led legislatures threaten to restrict ballot access, we must ensure there are safeguards in place to ensure voters can defend their right in court. The right to vote should never be questioned, and Congress must protect every eligible voter's right to participate in our elections."

"Our democracy works best when Americans can make their voices heard, and as we continue to see unprecedented attacks on the right to vote across the country, we must take action," said Klobuchar. "This legislation enables voters to challenge policies that make it more difficult to cast their ballots, empowering people to protect voting rights nationwide."

"The ballot box is the beating heart of our democracy, but, for far too long, some Americans have faced enormous obstacles or outright denial as they've tried to participate in the democratic process. The Right to Vote Act gives Americans the power to contest unfair state laws designed to make it hard for targeted communities to exercise their constitutional right to vote. This defense of voting rights is hugely needed," said Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR).

"The Right to Vote Act safeguards Americans' voting rights and defends against attempts to restrict voting access," said Senator Blumenthal. "The right to vote is a bedrock of our democracy, a government that is supposed to be by and for the people. With unprecedented attacks on voting rights in states across the country, this critical legislation protects access to the ballot box and ensures Americans can exercise their most fundamental right."

"Nothing is more fundamental to our democracy than ensuring that all citizens can exercise their fundamental right to vote. Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans know their agenda is deeply unpopular, but instead of delivering for the American people, they are working overtime to disenfranchise millions of voters who have the constitutional right to vote them out of office," said Senator Hirono. "By empowering voters to fight back against restrictions on their voting rights, this legislation will help ensure that every voice can be heard on Election Day."

"Voting in America is your right. Americans have been beaten, they've been bloodied, and they've given their lives to secure that right. Disenfranchisement today is more bureaucratic, and it's more technical, but the results for ordinary citizens is the same: Their voices are shut out of a democracy," Sen. Cantwell said. "I ask my colleagues to stand up for their constituents -- because if we don't stop this administration's war on voting rights, I guarantee you, millions of Americans will be disenfranchised."

The bill would protect every step necessary to participate in a federal election, including registering to vote, obtaining any identification required to vote, casting a ballot, and ensuring that ballot is counted.

Rep. Lee, Rep. Neguse, and Sen. Ossoff previously led the introduction of the Right to Vote Act in 2024. The legislation responds to continuing efforts across the country to impose unnecessary barriers between eligible voters and the ballot box.

The House legislation is cosponsored by: Joe Neguse (CO-02), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Jesús "Chuy" García (IL-04), Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Scott Peters (CA-50), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), André Carson (IN-07), Greg Casar (TX-35), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), Angie Craig (MN-02), Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Marc Veasey (TX-33), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Al Green (TX-09).

The Senate legislation is cosponsored by: Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Angus King (I-ME), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Alex Padilla (D-CA)

Congresswoman Lee has made protecting the political power of working people and expanding access to democracy a central part of her work in Congress. In addition to leading the Right to Vote Act, Rep. Lee has fought efforts to make it harder for eligible Americans to vote, receiving an "A" on the Defend the Vote Action Fund's congressional scorecard. She has also led legislation to get billionaire and corporate money out of elections and has consistently championed reforms that protect voting rights, restore the power of the Voting Rights Act, end partisan gerrymandering, and make the ballot more accessible. Learn more about Congresswoman Lee's work to strengthen democracy and protect voting rights here.

To read the full text of the bill, please click here.

Congresswoman Summer Lee serves on the House Committee on Judiciary and the Committee on Education and Workforce. Since taking office in January 2023, shehas delivered historic levels of federal investment totaling over $2.7 Billion brought back to Western PA, including over $580 million for infrastructure, over $110 million for affordable transit, over $500 million to keep clean energy manufacturing at home in Pennsylvania, and over $55 million on clean energy efforts in and around schools to help keep our kids and communities safe. These investments will help improve Western Pennsylvania's infrastructure and transit, ensure cleaner air and drinking water, lower housing costs, fund research institutions, fuel clean manufacturing, fund STEM innovation and entrepreneurship, boost workforce development, and create thousands of good paying union jobs.  Lee and her team have also delivered casework and constituent services to over 4,000 constituents with issues ranging from helping our seniors and disabled community access Medicare and social security to helping folks secure housing and helping families with immigration support and passports.