Salinas Introduces Legislation to Establish a National Right to Vote by Mail
Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06) introduced the Universal Right to Vote by Mail Act, which would ensure that all eligible voters in America have the option to vote by mail. This legislation would increase participation in our elections and ensure that more Americans can make their voices heard. The Universal Right to Vote by Mail Act is the first bill introduced by Rep. Salinas in the 119thCongress.
“Every eligible voter should be able to participate in our elections, including folks who can’t make it to the polls due to age, illness, disability, or simply because they work two or three jobs and don’t have the time,” said Rep. Salinas. “Oregon has been a vote-by-mail state for almost 30 years, and we also have one of the safest and most secure elections systems in the country with consistently high levels of participation. Establishing a national right to vote by mail would only strengthen our democracy by allowing more Americans to make their voices heard.”
Currently, 36 states—including Oregon—and the District of Columbia allow no-excuse absentee voting by mail, which has been proven to increase turnout and reduce barriers to voting. For example, states that previously did not have extensive access to vote-by-mail and changed this policy during the COVID-19 pandemic saw voter turnout increase by an average of 8%. At the same time, about 50% of all eligible Americans who did not cast a ballot in the 2022 midterm elections cited logistical issues, such as bad weather, illness, disability, and long lines, as their reason for not voting.
To address these issues, the Universal Right to Vote by Mail Act amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to create an option for no-excuse absentee voting in all 50 states and U.S. territories. The legislation also includes a requirement that states must provide voters with an opportunity to cure their ballots, which will help reduce errors and ensure that all eligible votes are counted.
In addition to Rep. Salinas, the Universal Right to Vote by Mail Act is cosponsored by Reps. Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05), Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), and Juan Vargas (CA-52).
The legislation is also endorsed by the National Vote at Home Institute, Common Cause, League of Women Voters of the United States, and the National Disability Rights Network.
"When Americans can securely and conveniently vote at home for any reason, it's not a win for a candidate or a party, it's a win for democracy,” said Barbara Smith Warner, Executive Director of the National Vote at Home Institute. “Unrestricted access to mail ballots sidesteps common barriers that keep too many Americans from voting, from work schedules, illness and child care to long lines and weather events. We thank Rep. Salinas for introducing this important legislation that will benefit all voters."
“All Americans deserve to have their voices heard and votes counted. Since Americans lead extremely busy lives, we deserve choices for voting in whatever manner works best for our schedules,” said Aaron Scherb, Senior Director of Legislative Affairs at Common Cause. “We commend Congresswoman Salinas for introducing the Universal Right to Vote by Mail Act to allow voters to vote from the comfort of their home or wherever is most convenient for them, and we look forward to working with Congress to advance this important legislation.”
"The League of Women Voters of the United States supports the Universal Vote by Mail Act. When voters cannot get to physical polling locations, our election system must allow voters the option of receiving a ballot in the mail and sending it back or placing it in an accessible drop box," said Jessica Jones Capparell, Director of Government Affairs at the League of Women Voters of the United States. "Adding a universal option to vote by mail will allow people who cannot get to the polls because of health issues, inflexible work schedules, caregiving needs, or other reasons to have their voice heard. This bill is a necessary step toward ensuring that every voter has the access to vote in every election."
"Voting by mail is a tradition in the US that is over a century old. It is important for ensuring access to the ballot for those voters with disabilities whose polling places remain inaccessible to them," said Marlene Sallo, Executive Director of the National Disability Rights Network. "Universal vote by mail is a crucial step in making elections work for all voters by removing unnecessary barriers to mailed ballots."
To read the full text of this legislation, click here.
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