The For the People Act (H.R. 1) would implement a sweeping federalization of American elections. Among the bill’s provisions, H.R. 1 would force states to implement nationwide Internet, automatic, and same-day voter registration. The bill would also mandate states to allow mail-in voting for all voters, make ballot “drop boxes” available in every county, and implement early voting at least 15 days prior to an election. Additionally, H.R. 1 would prohibit voter caging, greatly reducing verification of voter-registration lists; require states to set up “independent redistricting commissions” that take redistricting authority out of state legislatures’ hands; and enact additional campaign-finance regulations.
The House passed H.R. 1 on March 3, 2021 by a vote of 220 to 210 (Roll Call 62). We have assigned pluses to the nays because, under our system of government, state legislatures retain primary authority over regulating congressional elections.
