Congresswoman Scanlon Introduces Bills to Improve Access to Ballot Amid Trump White House Voter Suppression Efforts

The Accessible Voting Act would support state and local efforts to remove barriers to voting and expand accessibility. The Dropbox Access Act would create a new standard for localities to expand accessibility for ballot dropboxes.

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) yesterday introduced a package of bills designed to improve support for state and local election offices to improve voting access for Americans in future elections. The Accessible Voting Act will support state and local efforts to expand voter access, while the Dropbox Access Act will create a new standard by which localities must provide ballot dropboxes.

"Our democracy thrives when every eligible voter is able to participate, and these bills will remove barriers that all too often make it more difficult for Americans to cast their ballots. I've seen how expanding accessibility and access to ballot boxes has improved voter turnout and engagement in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania," said Rep. Scanlon. "I'm proud to introduce these bills to advance more equitable and just voting policies for all Americans."

The Accessible Voting Act, which Scanlon co-leads with Reps. Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), and Lateefah Simon (CA-12), would support state and local election efforts through the establishment of the Office of Accessibility within the Election Assistance Commission (EAC). Specifically, the bill would ensure through the Office of Accessibility that state and local election officials are taking steps to obtain, deploy, and maintain voting systems, expand the number of options to cast a ballot in federal elections for older voters and voters with disabilities, and establish an online national resource center on accessible voting. The bill would also create a new state grant program through the Office of Accessibility for the improvement of accessible voting options, and reauthorize and expand grants through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to improve voter accessibility for older Americans and people with disabilities.

The Dropbox Access Act, co-led by Reps. Simon and Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), would require each state to provide county-level secure drop boxes where individuals may drop off their completed ballots for federal elections. Specifically, the bill would prevent states from restricting voters' access to drop boxes by requiring counties to provide, at minimum, one drop box per 20,000 voting-age residents, ensure that drop boxes are available 24 hours a day beginning 45 days before each election, and create more accessible options near public transit and for individuals with disabilities or with limited English-language proficiency, and for voters living in rural communities and tribal lands.

Scanlon introduced the voting accessibility bills package as the Trump administration has issued a series of executive orders and legislative proposals apparently designed to suppress voter turnout ahead of November's midterm elections. Those proposals largely have been rejected by the courts. According to Scanlon, "now more than ever, it's important that our elections reflect the will of the people, and that we challenge efforts by the current administration to undermine our election integrity."

Recently, Congresswoman Scanlon convened hearings in her congressional district, at Widener University, and at the U.S. Capitol, to counter efforts by the Trump administration to spread disinformation about elections and disenfranchise voters with voter roll purges and by restricting access to mail-in voting. At both hearings, Members of Congress heard from election protection experts on voter protection and election security. Those experts expressed confidence in the safeguards and resiliency of our elections, and the importance of expanding access to the ballot box. Recordings of those hearings are available here: at Widener University, Chester PA and in Washington, D.C.

"American democracy works best when all citizens can participate and vote, no matter where they're from, what language they speak or whether they live with a disability," said Rep. Raskin. "Our Accessible Voting Act strengthens access to the ballot box and addresses a wide range of systemic deficiencies, so no eligible voter is left alone to overcome barriers to casting a ballot."

"Our elders fought for our voting rights with blood, sweat, and tears - and yet too many people, particularly older Americans and Americans with disabilities, still face barriers to voting such as inaccessible polling locations or access to voter information. Both the Accessible Voting Act and Dropbox Access Act will improve voter accessibility for requesting mail-in ballots, accessing voter registration info, and when showing up to the ballot box," said Rep. Simon. "As the first congenitally blind Member of Congress, improving accessibility to ensure that all Americans can equally access resources and participate in society is a top priority of mine. I am proud to lead on these bills with Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon to ensure ALL individuals can equally participate in local and federal elections to make their rightful voices heard."

"The ability for everyone to have their voice heard is central to our American ideals-yet too often people with disabilities face unnecessary barriers in both registering to vote and casting their ballots, preventing them from fully participating in our democracy," said Rep. Dean. "This legislation will help improve registration processes and eliminate barriers to voting, including by reauthorizing grants to improve voting accessibility for older Americans and those with disabilities. By breaking down these barriers, our communities can be better represented by every voice. I'm thankful to partner with Congresswoman Scanlon and Congressman Raskin to pass these essential bills."

"We should be making it more accessible for Americans to vote, not harder," said Rep. Garcia. "But the Trump administration and its Republican allies continue to attack voting rights and put up new barriers to the ballot box. That is why I am proud to once again co-lead the Dropbox Access Act, a practical bill to make sure voters have fair, accessible options to return their ballots. We should be protecting the right to vote, not suppressing it."

Find the full text for the Accessible Voting Act here.

Find the full text for the Dropbox Access Act here.

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