WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Rep. Yvette D. Clarke voted to pass H.R. 1, the For The People Act, to protect and expand voting rights, protect against the harmful effects of gerrymandering, and put the needs and priorities of the American people first. 

H.R. 1, the For the People Act, provides critical improvements and reforms to our nation’s voting rights infrastructure, protects our elections from foreign interference, and authorizes independent redistricting commissions to prevent state legislatures from drawing congressional maps that are racially and politically gerrymandered. 

H.R. 1, requires those commissions to use orderly criteria for drawing maps to ensure compliance with the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the U.S. Constitution. Mandating that any citizen may challenge the map in federal or state court, and enforcement of the map will be delayed until a final court decision.

“The For The People Act is a direct response to our urgent need for comprehensive and structural democracy reform. For too long, Americans across our nation have been subjected to rampant voter suppression, the harmful effects of gerrymandering, and draconian efforts to undermine the integrity of our democracy,” said Clarke. “While this legislation is not perfect, we must fortify and strengthen the foundations of our fragile democracy. That is why I am committed to advancing H.R.1, a transformational voting rights, anti-corruption, ethics, and clean elections reform package. This bill will return power to the people and help us build a more just, equitable, and prosperous future — for all Americans.”

Key provisions of H.R. 1, the For the People Act, include:

• Expanding automatic voter registration and same-day registration.

• Strengthening vote by mail, early voting and ballot access.

• Combating voter intimidation and voter suppression.

• Protecting elections from foreign interference.

• Fixing partisan gerrymandering.

• Promoting digital ad transparency.

• Forcing disclosure of dark money.

• Reining in lobbyist influence.

• Enforcing ethics and conflict of interest rules for all government officials.

• Empowering small donors with matching funds paid for by lawbreakers, not taxpayers.

See here for more information about H.R. 1.

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Yvette D. Clarke has been in Congress since 2007. She represents New York’s Ninth Congressional District, which includes Central and South Brooklyn. Clarke is Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Taskforce on Immigration, a Senior Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and a Senior Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security.

Media contact: Remmington Belford Remmington.belford@mail.house.gov c: 202.480.5737