States Pass Restrictive Election Bills Despite Federal Push to Expand Voting Access

Two states voted in favor of restrictive election bills yesterday. In a 29-20 vote, Georgia’s state Senate passed a sweeping legislation to repeal no-excuse absentee voting, create stricter ID requirements, establish a voter hotline for complaints of illegal election activities, and more. Iowa’s Republican governor also just signed into law a controversial bill limiting voting and making it harder for people to return absentee ballots. These two states are not alone, as more than 250 similar laws been proposed in over 40 other states. It’s believed this is all in response to the 2020 presidential election in which baseless voter fraud allegations were widely spread. Many against these new state bills say they not only perpetuate those false claims, but “restrict the freedom to vote” for millions of people. These bills were also passed despite national and federal efforts to expand voting access, which includes the recently passed “For the People Act” by the U.S. House and an executive order signed by President Biden on Sunday.