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Rep. Susan Wild Introduces Bill with H.R. 1 to Enact Early Voting Nationwide

March 5, 2019

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Representative Susan Wild (PA-07) introduced a key component of H.R. 1, the For the People Act of 2019, to make voting more accessible to all voters by enacting and expanding early voting. Wild's legislation would amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 by requiring all states to offer at least 15 consecutive days of early voting for federal elections.

"No Pennsylvanian or American should have to forgo their fundamental right to vote because they don't have the time or resources, or they run into unpredictable circumstances and can't make it to the voting booth on Election Day," Wildsaid. "We should be making it easier to vote – not harder – because ensuring every American can participate in our democracy creates a government that is more connected, responsive, and representative of the people. We cannot call ourselves a democracy without doing everything possible to ensure the fundamental right to vote is in reach for every American."

Under the current election system, many states have limited windows of early voting. Some states, like Pennsylvania, do not allow early voting at all. This can disenfranchise voters who are unable to make it to the polls during the limited time they are open on Election Day. Individuals with children, unpredictable work schedules, transportation difficulties, or people who have unexpected events come up on Election Day are disproportionately affected by a lack of early voting. In addition, states' different early voting rules can create confusion and further impede voters from casting a ballot.