Wyden and Merkley Introduce Legislation to End Voter Suppression by Unreasonably Long Lines
POLL Act Ends Long Lines and Ensures Every Voter Can Cast a Ballot in 30 Minutes
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., today introduced legislation that would end hours-long lines at polling places that suppress hundreds of thousands of votes, and restore Americans’ constitutional rights to vote in free and fair elections.
“Oregonians are fortunate to have the option to vote at home, but many other voters nationwide lack that opportunity and shouldn’t be effectively cut off from the ballot box by lines that leave them on their feet for hours on end. Everyone has a right to make their voice count in our democracy,” Wyden said. “Making voting easy shouldn’t be a partisan issue. It’s time to pass the POLL Act to end lengthy lines and empower voters to make their voices heard at the ballot box.”
“Forcing people to wait in long lines to vote is a discriminatory tool used to manipulate elections by preventing citizens from voting. Nobody should have to spend hours upon hours away from work, school, and other responsibilities and obligations to exercise their constitutional rights,” said Merkley. “If we believe in the freedom to vote and democracy, let's make sure staffing and equipment are distributed equitably so nobody has to wait more than 30 minutes to vote.”
Data from the 2020 election showed that nearly one-in-five in-person voters waited more than 30 minutes to vote and casting a vote typically took longer in poorer, less white neighborhoods than it did in whiter and more affluent ones.
The People Over Long Lines (POLL) Act would require state and local governments to end these forms of voter suppression. The bill requires states to file public plans detailing how they will ensure voters can cast ballots with waiting times of less than 30 minutes and require audits by the Election Assistance Commission to determine how many voters face longer waits. The bill includes $500 million to help states reduce voter wait times.
The POLL Act would also create a private right of action of $50 for voters forced to wait for longer than 30 minutes, with an additional $50 for every hour after that. Penalties would increase if a court determines long lines were the result of intentional voter suppression or reckless disregard for election plans. Successful plaintiffs would also be entitled to court costs.
It is supported by leading voting rights groups, including: Stand Up America, Fair Fight Action, End Citizens United // Let America Vote Action Fund, League of Minority Voters, and GALEO Impact Fund.
Statements of Support
Tiffany Muller, President, End Citizens United and Let America Vote Action Fund: “Forcing Americans to stand in long lines to vote is an anti-voter tactic deployed by power-hungry politicians to dissuade people from making their voices heard––specifically communities of color. The People Over Long Lines Act would end illegal practices and intimidation tactics that are designed to prevent voters from participating in their democracy. We applaud Senator Wyden for his continued leadership on this issue and encourage the Senate to make this a bipartisan priority.”
Tishan Weerasooriya, Senior Associate for Policy & Political Affairs, Stand Up America: “Every election, too many voters, especially those in low-income and majority-Black communities, face long lines, ballot shortages, and other barriers to casting their ballots. Ensuring polling locations are adequately staffed and resourced and wait times are reduced to no longer than 30 minutes is vital to protecting Americans’ freedom to vote. Stand Up America thanks Senator Wyden for introducing the POLL Act, and we look forward to advocating for its swift passage into law,”
Priyanka Sharma, President and Founder, Promise King, and Co-chair, League of Minority Voters: “We enthusiastically support the POLL Act as it aims to increase access to the voting process. Increased access to voting options and ease of voting are key to achieving a representative democracy that reflects our country’s diversity. League of Minority Voters is committed to inclusion of different perspectives and voices in the electoral process and working towards a more vibrant and robust democracy.”
The text of the bill is here.
Wyden has been a national leader in the fight to make voting more accessible and secure. This year, Wyden introduced legislation to ensure American voters can vote more conveniently and securely at home and legislation to expand youth access to voting.
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