2024: Fitzpatrick Voted Against Prohibiting Funding For An Executive
Action Promoting Access To Voting. In June 2024, Fitzpatrick voted
against , according to Congressional Quarterly, "amendment no. 43 that
would prohibit the use of funds in the bill from being used to carry out
various sections of Executive Order 14019 regarding promoting access to
voting." The vote was on the amendment. The underlying legislation was
the FY 2025 Defense Appropriations. The House adopted the amendment by a
vote of 201 to 187. [House Vote 327,
6/28/24; Congressional
Quarterly, 6/28/24;
Congressional Actions,
H.Amdt.1079;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
8774]
The Executive Order Was Issued Three Years Ago And Encouraged
Federal Agencies To Promote Voter Registration. According to NPR,
"In these final months before this fall's election, Republican
officials are ramping up attacks on a three-year-old executive order
President Biden issued to try to get more eligible voters signed up
to cast ballots. The order calls for federal agencies to promote
voter registration and participation in ways that are 'consistent
with applicable law.' Many election experts see the effort as a
worthwhile attempt to take advantage of the regular interactions
eligible voters have with the government and address long-standing
barriers to the ballot, including those facing people of color,
those with disabilities, those in federal custody and those serving
overseas in the U.S. military. [NPR,
6/30/24]
The Executive Order Stemmed From The National Voter Registration
Act Which Required States To Designate Military Recruitment Offices
As Voter Registration Agencies And Allowed Other Offices To Receive
The Same Designation. Under the National Voter Registration Act,
states must designate U.S. military recruitment offices in their
state as official voter registration agencies, which are required to
distribute registration forms, help people fill them out and hand
off completed forms to state election officials --- all with
restrictions on any partisan activity. States can also partner with
other local offices of the federal government to designate them as
voter registration agencies. 'But there was no real fire under them
to do that,' Tokaji explains. Since Biden's order, Kentucky and
Michigan have announced voter registration designations for Veterans
Affairs facilities in their states, and the White House has touted
designations for a tribal university in Kansas and a tribal college
in New Mexico operated by the Department of the Interior's Bureau of
Indian Education. Michigan has also said it's made an agreement to
send state election officials to register eligible voters at local
outreach events organized by the U.S. Small Business
Administration." [NPR,
6/30/24]
The Executive Order Required Agencies To Submit Strategic Plans To
Increase Voter Registration, Which Republicans Attacked For Lacking
Transparency Despite Many Plans Being Made Public Following Freedom
Of Information Act Requests. According to NPR, "Partisan fights
over voting policy have intensified since former President Donald
Trump's administration, and Biden's order has become the latest
target for Republican critics. The order directed federal agencies
to submit to the White House strategic plans on how they can promote
voter registration and participation. While some of those plans were
made public after Freedom of Information Act requests by right-wing
activist groups, many GOP officials have slammed the administration
for a lack of transparency." [NPR,
6/30/24]
2024: Fitzpatrick Voted Against Prohibiting Funding For An Executive
Action Promoting Access To Voting. In June 2024, Fitzpatrick voted
against , according to Congressional Quarterly, "amendment no. 63 that
would prohibit the use of funds provided by the bill to implement a
March 2021 executive order directing federal agencies to promote access
to voting and voting rights." The vote was on the amendment. The
underlying legislation was the FY 2025 State-Foreign Operations
Appropriations. The House adopted the amendment by a vote of 208 to 202.
[House Vote 318,
6/27/24; Congressional
Quarterly, 6/27/24;
Congressional Actions,
H.Amdt.1061;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
8771]
The Executive Order Was Issued Three Years Ago And Encouraged
Federal Agencies To Promote Voter Registration. According to NPR,
"In these final months before this fall's election, Republican
officials are ramping up attacks on a three-year-old executive order
President Biden issued to try to get more eligible voters signed up
to cast ballots. The order calls for federal agencies to promote
voter registration and participation in ways that are 'consistent
with applicable law.' Many election experts see the effort as a
worthwhile attempt to take advantage of the regular interactions
eligible voters have with the government and address long-standing
barriers to the ballot, including those facing people of color,
those with disabilities, those in federal custody and those serving
overseas in the U.S. military. [NPR,
6/30/24]
The Executive Order Stemmed From The National Voter Registration
Act Which Required States To Designate Military Recruitment Offices
As Voter Registration Agencies And Allowed Other Offices To Receive
The Same Designation. Under the National Voter Registration Act,
states must designate U.S. military recruitment offices in their
state as official voter registration agencies, which are required to
distribute registration forms, help people fill them out and hand
off completed forms to state election officials --- all with
restrictions on any partisan activity. States can also partner with
other local offices of the federal government to designate them as
voter registration agencies. 'But there was no real fire under them
to do that,' Tokaji explains. Since Biden's order, Kentucky and
Michigan have announced voter registration designations for Veterans
Affairs facilities in their states, and the White House has touted
designations for a tribal university in Kansas and a tribal college
in New Mexico operated by the Department of the Interior's Bureau of
Indian Education. Michigan has also said it's made an agreement to
send state election officials to register eligible voters at local
outreach events organized by the U.S. Small Business
Administration." [NPR,
6/30/24]
The Executive Order Required Agencies To Submit Strategic Plans To
Increase Voter Registration, Which Republicans Attacked For Lacking
Transparency Despite Many Plans Being Made Public Following Freedom
Of Information Act Requests. According to NPR, "Partisan fights
over voting policy have intensified since former President Donald
Trump's administration, and Biden's order has become the latest
target for Republican critics. The order directed federal agencies
to submit to the White House strategic plans on how they can promote
voter registration and participation. While some of those plans were
made public after Freedom of Information Act requests by right-wing
activist groups, many GOP officials have slammed the administration
for a lack of transparency." [NPR,
6/30/24]
2024: Fitzpatrick Voted Against Prohibiting Funding For An Executive
Action Promoting Access To Voting. In June 2024, Fitzpatrick voted
against , according to Congressional Quarterly, "amendment no. 43 that
would prohibit the use of funds in the bill from being used to carry out
various sections of Executive Order 14019 regarding promoting access to
voting." The vote was on the amendment. The underlying legislation was
the FY 2025 Homeland Security Appropriations. The House adopted the
amendment by a vote of 207 to 206. [House Vote 289,
6/26/24; Congressional
Quarterly, 6/26/24;
Congressional Actions,
H.Amdt.1016;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
8752]
The Executive Order Was Issued Three Years Ago And Encouraged
Federal Agencies To Promote Voter Registration. According to NPR,
"In these final months before this fall's election, Republican
officials are ramping up attacks on a three-year-old executive order
President Biden issued to try to get more eligible voters signed up
to cast ballots. The order calls for federal agencies to promote
voter registration and participation in ways that are 'consistent
with applicable law.' Many election experts see the effort as a
worthwhile attempt to take advantage of the regular interactions
eligible voters have with the government and address long-standing
barriers to the ballot, including those facing people of color,
those with disabilities, those in federal custody and those serving
overseas in the U.S. military. [NPR,
6/30/24]
The Executive Order Stemmed From The National Voter Registration
Act Which Required States To Designate Military Recruitment Offices
As Voter Registration Agencies And Allowed Other Offices To Receive
The Same Designation. Under the National Voter Registration Act,
states must designate U.S. military recruitment offices in their
state as official voter registration agencies, which are required to
distribute registration forms, help people fill them out and hand
off completed forms to state election officials --- all with
restrictions on any partisan activity. States can also partner with
other local offices of the federal government to designate them as
voter registration agencies. 'But there was no real fire under them
to do that,' Tokaji explains. Since Biden's order, Kentucky and
Michigan have announced voter registration designations for Veterans
Affairs facilities in their states, and the White House has touted
designations for a tribal university in Kansas and a tribal college
in New Mexico operated by the Department of the Interior's Bureau of
Indian Education. Michigan has also said it's made an agreement to
send state election officials to register eligible voters at local
outreach events organized by the U.S. Small Business
Administration." [NPR,
6/30/24]
The Executive Order Required Agencies To Submit Strategic Plans To
Increase Voter Registration, Which Republicans Attacked For Lacking
Transparency Despite Many Plans Being Made Public Following Freedom
Of Information Act Requests. According to NPR, "Partisan fights
over voting policy have intensified since former President Donald
Trump's administration, and Biden's order has become the latest
target for Republican critics. The order directed federal agencies
to submit to the White House strategic plans on how they can promote
voter registration and participation. While some of those plans were
made public after Freedom of Information Act requests by right-wing
activist groups, many GOP officials have slammed the administration
for a lack of transparency." [NPR,
6/30/24]
2021: Fitzpatrick Voted Against An Amendment That Would Allow
Incarcerated Felons To Vote During Elections. In March 2021,
Fitzpatrick voted against an amendment to the For The People Act which
would, according to Congressional Quarterly, "strike language that would
allow the denial of voting rights to individuals serving felony
sentences in correctional institutions at the time of an election." The
vote was on adoption of an amendment. The House rejected the amendment
by a vote of 97-328. [House Vote 53,
3/2/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/2/21;
Congressional Actions, H.Amdt.
18;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1]
2021: Fitzpatrick Voted Against Strengthening Anti-Voter Suppression
Enforcement Authorities, Which Would Restore Preclearance Requirements
Under The Voting Rights Act For Voting Practices In States And
Localities With A History Of Voter Suppression. In August 2021,
Fitzpatrick voted against the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement
Act of 2021 which would, according to Congressional Quarterly,
"strengthen anti-discrimination enforcement authorities in relation to
voting practices. The bill would effectively restore preclearance
requirements under the Voting Rights Act for any changes to voting
practices in states and localities with a history of voting rights
violations within the previous 25 years." The vote was on passage. The
House passed the bill by a vote of 219-212. The Senate did not take
substantive action on the bill. [House Vote 260,
8/24/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 8/24/21;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
4]
Under The Measure, States And Localities With 15 Or More Voting
Rights Violations Within The Past 15 Years Would Need To Undergo
Federal Preclearance Before Implementing Any Changes To Voting
Laws. According to Congressional Quarterly, "The House-passed bill
says states and localities that had 15 or more violations in the
past 25 years would need preclearance from Washington before any
changes to voting laws they enact would take effect."
[Congressional Quarterly,
8/31/21]
The Bill Would Have Directed The Justice Department To Assign
"Federal Election Observers," Who Would Ensure States Comply With
Federal Voting Rights Guidelines. According to Congressional
Quarterly, "expand Justice Department authority to assign federal
election observers to ensure compliance with federal voting rights
protections, including bilingual election requirements."
[Congressional Quarterly,
8/24/21]
The Bill Would Have Required Localities And States To Provide
Notice Of Any Voting Procedure Change, Provided Updated Demographic
Data Within 10 Days Of Restricting Changes, And Provided Grants To
Small Jurisdictions To Help Them Comply With Notice Requirements.
According to Congressional Quarterly, "require states and localities
to provide public notice of any changes to voting procedures made
within 180 days of a federal election and to provide public notice
of updated demographic data within ten days of any change to
electoral district boundaries. It would require the department to
make grants to small jurisdictions with a population of 10,000 or
less to help them comply with public notice requirements related to
voting practices." [Congressional Quarterly,
8/24/21]
The Bill Would Have Codified Various Requirements For "Vote
Denial" And "Vote Dilution" Claims And Other Voter Suppression
Claims For Court Evaluations. According to Congressional
Quarterly, "codify or expand various requirements for court
evaluation of 'vote denial' and 'vote dilution' discrimination
claims and other voting rights violations, including to provide for
violations in the case of voting practices that have the purpose or
will have the effect of denying or abridging the right to vote on
account of race or color, including rules that have not yet been
implemented." [Congressional Quarterly,
8/24/21]
After The Supreme Court Ruling In Brnovich v. DNC, Which "Made It
More Difficult To Challenge Voting Laws On The Grounds Of
Discrimination," The Measure Could Facilitate Bringing And Possibly
Winning Lawsuits For Plaintiffs Under Section 2 Of The Voting Rights
Act. According to Congressional Quarterly, "the measure could make
it easier for plaintiffs to bring, and possibly win, suits. That's
because the bill responded to another Supreme Court case this year,
Brnovich v. DNC, that made it more difficult to challenge voting
laws on the grounds of discrimination. That decision, which was
aimed at Section 2 of the original Voting Rights Act, made it harder
for an election change that causes a disproportionate impact to
minority communities to be considered a violation of the law."
[Congressional Quarterly,
8/31/21]
2021: Fitzpatrick Voted Against An Amendment That Would Ensure
Counties With Over 20,000 Registered Voters Offer At Least One Ballot
Drop Box For 24 Hours A Day. In March 2021, Fitzpatrick voted against
en block amendments no. 1 to the For The People Act which would,
according to Congressional Quarterly, "require states to ensure that in
counties with at least 20,000 registered voters at least one drop box is
open to accept ballots for 24 hours a day." The vote was on adoption of
amendments. The House adopted the amendments by a vote of 218-210.
[House Vote 52, 3/2/21;
Congressional Quarterly,
3/2/21; Congressional Actions,
H.Amdt.
16;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1]
2019: Fitzpatrick Voted Against Restricting So-Called "Voter Purges"
Such As By Stopping States From Removing People From The Voter Rolls If
They Failed To Vote In An Election As Part Of A Larger Anti-Corruption
And Democracy Reform Bill. In March 2019, Fitzpatrick voted against
The 'For The People Act.' According to Congressional Quarterly, "The
measure restricts the ability of states to 'purge' voter rolls,
including by prohibiting states from removing an individual's
registration because they failed to vote in an election or from
'systematically' removing individuals from their voter rolls using
information obtained by cross-checking individuals who may have moved
out of state, unless certain safeguards are followed." The overall was,
also according to CBS News, "the most sweeping anti-corruption measure
passed by the House of Representatives in a generation, by a vote of 234
to 193. The bill focuses on voting rights, campaign finance, and
government ethics." The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill
by a vote of 234 to 193. [House Vote 118,
3/8/19; Vox,
3/8/19;
CBS News,
3/8/19;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1]
2019: Fitzpatrick Voted Against Requiring Early Voting And Allow No
Reason Absentee Ballot As Part Of A Larger Anti-Corruption And Democracy
Reform Bill. In March 2019, Fitzpatrick voted against The 'For The
People Act.' According to Congressional Quarterly, "It requires that all
states allow early voting for federal elections, under which individuals
could vote at least 15 days prior to election day at accessible early
voting stations, and it establishes a national standard under which any
individual, for any reason, may use an absentee ballot and vote by mail.
It requires states to automatically register eligible voters, including
when individuals turn 18 and become eligible to vote, and requires
states to accept online registration applications and allow individuals
to update their voter registration information online. States also must
allow for same-day voting registration." The overall was, also according
to CBS News, "the most sweeping anti-corruption measure passed by the
House of Representatives in a generation, by a vote of 234 to 193. The
bill focuses on voting rights, campaign finance, and government ethics."
The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 234 to
193. [House Vote 118,
3/8/19; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/5/19; CBS News,
3/8/19;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1]
2019: Fitzpatrick Voted Against Making Early Voting Locations Having
Uniform Hours And Be Near Public Transportation, If Possible, As Part Of
A Larger Anti-Corruption And Democracy Reform Bill. In March 2019,
Fitzpatrick voted against The 'For The People Act.' According to
Congressional Quarterly, "Under the measure, early voting locations must
keep uniform hours and must be located near public transportation 'to
the greatest extent possible.'" The overall was, also according to CBS
News, "the most sweeping anti-corruption measure passed by the House of
Representatives in a generation, by a vote of 234 to 193. The bill
focuses on voting rights, campaign finance, and government ethics." The
vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 234 to 193.
[House Vote 118, 3/8/19;
Congressional Quarterly, 3/5/19;
CBS News,
3/8/19;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1]
2021: Fitzpatrick Voted Against Expanding Voting Rights Enforcement
Authorities, Which Would Expand The Court's Ability For Judicial
Preclearance For Voting Practice Changes In Response To Laws Prohibiting
Racial Or Language Discrimination In August 2021, Fitzpatrick voted
against the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021 which
would, according to Congressional Quarterly, "expand certain voting
rights enforcement authorities, including to allow courts to grant
injunctions or require judicial preclearance for changes to voting
practices in response to any federal voting rights law prohibiting
racial or language discrimination." The vote was on passage. The House
passed the bill by a vote of 219-212. The Senate did not take
substantive action on the bill. [House Vote 260,
8/24/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 8/24/21;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
4]
The Bill Would Have Required Voting Change Practices To Be
Submitted To The Justice Department For Preclearance Before They May
Be Implemented, And Allowed For Exemptions If Jurisdictions Have Not
Imposed Voter Suppression Laws In The Last Decade. According to
Congressional Quarterly, "establish formulas to identify such
jurisdictions, which would be required to submit proposed changes to
the Justice Department for review and approval before they may be
implemented. It would establish an 'administrative bailout'
provision allowing jurisdictions to apply for exemptions to
preclearance requirements if they meet eligibility standards related
to not implementing discriminatory practices in the previous 10
years." [Congressional Quarterly,
8/24/21]
The Bill Would Have Required States And Localities To Analyze
Whether Their Voting Practice Changes Would Suppress The Votes Of
Minority Communities And Submit The Changes For Federal
Preclearance. According to Congressional Quarterly, "require
states and localities to review any newly enacted or adopted
election practices to identify whether they include certain
practices that could impact the ability to vote based on race, color
or language minority group, such as changes to impose stricter voter
identification requirements; changes to jurisdictional boundaries or
voting locations in jurisdictions with large minority populations;
and changes that prohibit the provision of food or drinks to
individuals waiting to vote. It would require jurisdictions that
adopt such practices to submit them for federal preclearance."
[Congressional Quarterly,
8/24/21]
Under The Measure, Certain Proposed Changes To Voting Law Would Be
Subject To Federal Preclearance, Even If The Change Does Not Fall
Within The 25-Year-Window, Including Voter Identification
Requirements And Voter Roll Maintenance. According to
Congressional Quarterly, "The bill would also subject certain
proposed laws to preclearance, even potentially in jurisdictions
that would not otherwise fall under the 25-year lookback criteria.
The bill's Section 6 would set out several practices, including
changes to voter identification needed to vote and maintenance of
voter rolls, that could be subject to preclearance." [Congressional
Quarterly, 8/31/21]
Under The Measure, Federal Preclearance Would Apply To Legislation
That Has Not Been Enacted, Which Would Attempt To Combat Many
States' Efforts To Rescind Voting Practices Used During The
Pandemic, Including Voting By Mail. According to Congressional
Quarterly, "Advocates say the voting rights bill named for Lewis is
urgently needed to combat state efforts to roll back some of the
pandemic's voting practices, such as voting by mail, as well as
other new restrictions. But the bill, should it become law, would be
more forward-looking. Preclearance would apply to not-yet-enacted
legislation and not to state laws already on the books."
[Congressional Quarterly,
8/31/21]
2021: Fitzpatrick Voted Against Permitting Universal Mail-In Ballots,
Against Providing Ballot Drop Boxes To All Counties At Least 45 Days
Prior To An Election And Against Enacting Ballot Tracking Programs. In
March 2021, Fitzpatrick voted against the For The People Act which
would, according to Congressional Quarterly, "require states to allow
all eligible voters to vote by mail-in absentee ballots, provide ballot
drop boxes in each county at least 45 days before an election and carry
out a program to track and confirm receipt of all absentee ballots." The
vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 220-210. The
Senate did not take substantive action on the bill. [House Vote 62,
3/3/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/3/21; Congressional
Actions, H.R.
1]
2019: Fitzpatrick Voted To Require All Polling Places In Each
Respective State To Be Open For A Time Not Varying By More Than Two
Hours. If March 2019, Fitzpatrick voted for an amendment that would,
according to Congressional Quarterly, "require[d] all polling places
in a state to be open for a total amount of time not varying by more
than two hours between locations." The underlying bill was H.R. 1, the
For the People Act of 2019, which would reformed the electoral system
and instituted new ethical rules for government officials. The House
adopted the amendment by a vote of 237 to 188. The House later passed
the underlying bill. [House Vote 115,
3/7/19; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/7/19; Congressional
Actions, H. Amdt.
95;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1]
2024: Fitzpatrick Voted To Require Proof Of Citizenship To Register To
Vote In Federal Elections And To Remove Non-Citizens From Voting
Rolls. In July 2024, Fitzpatrick voted for , according to
Congressional Quarterly, "the bill that would modify the 1993 National
Voter Registration Act to require individuals to provide proof of U.S.
citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections. The bill also
would require states to remove non-citizens from state voting rolls and
provide states with access to federal databases to identify registered
non-citizens. It also would allow private citizens to sue election
officials who register individuals to vote without providing proof of
citizenship and would establish criminal penalties for such actions."
The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 221 to
198. [House Vote 345,
7/10/24; Congressional
Quarterly, 7/10/24;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
8281]
Federal Law Already Prohibited Non-Citizens From Voting In Federal
Elections. According to Congressional Quarterly, "Introduced by
Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, HR 8281 would require voters to prove
citizenship to register, with the aim of keeping noncitizens from
voting in federal elections. While that is already illegal, some
jurisdictions, including Washington, D.C., allow noncitizens to vote
in local elections." [Congressional Quarterly,
5/23/24]
Supporters Of The Legislation Argued It Was Necessary To Restore
Faith In Elections While Opponents Argued Americans Were Confident
In Federal Elections Prior To Trump's False Claims About the 2020
Election And The Bill Would Only Worsen Election Denialism.
According to Congressional Quarterly, "Chairman Bryan Steil, R-Wis.,
argued that the legislation was necessary to restore Americans'
shaken faith in the validity of federal vote counts. 'When Americans
are more confident that our elections are secure, they're more
likely to participate,' he said. 'As chairman of this committee, my
focus is on increasing confidence and participation in our
elections.' Ranking member Joseph D. Morelle, D-N.Y., said Americans
were confident in the security of the nation's elections until
Republicans, led by former President Donald Trump, started making
false claims about the 2020 election. 'Every one of my majority
colleagues understands that this narrative will aggravate the
perilous infection of election denialism that is spreading in the
American civic body,' he said. Morelle said he agreed with Steil's
avowed goal of 'increasing confidence and participation in our
elections' but said the bills advanced Thursday didn't accomplish
either." [Congressional Quarterly,
5/23/24]
Speaker Mike Johnson Stated That Non-Citizen Voting Is "Common"
Despite A Lack Of Evidence, Arguing That It's Not "Easily
Provable." According to Congressional Quarterly, "Roy announced
the measure, dubbed the SAVE Act, in a news conference on the
Capitol steps two weeks ago alongside Speaker Mike Johnson and other
House Republicans who led efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential
election. Despite no evidence that noncitizens were voting in
federal elections in any more than a handful of isolated incidents,
Johnson argued it was common nonetheless. 'We all know, intuitively,
that a lot of illegals are voting in federal elections,' he said.
'But it's not been something that is easily provable.'"
[Congressional Quarterly,
5/23/24]
Opponents Of The Bill Argued It Would Unintentionally
Disenfranchise Other Voters. According to Congressional Quarterly,
"'This bill is a solution in search of a problem,' Morelle said at
Thursday's markup, warning it would unintentionally disenfranchise
many eligible voters, like recently married women who changed their
names." [Congressional Quarterly,
5/23/24]
2019: Fitzpatrick Voted To Require States To Accept Pre-Registration
For Americans 16 Years And 17 Years Old. If March 2019, Fitzpatrick
voted for an amendment that would, according to Congressional Quarterly,
"require[d] states to accept and process voter registration documents
for individuals who are at least 16 years of age. (The provision would
have no effect on voting age requirements.)" The underlying bill was
H.R. 1, the For the People Act of 2019, which would reformed the
electoral system and instituted new ethical rules for government
officials. The House adopted the amendment by a vote of 239 to 186. The
House later passed the underlying bill. [House Vote 116,
3/7/19; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/7/19; Congressional
Actions, H. Amdt.
105;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1]
2019: Fitzpatrick Voted To Express Undocumented Immigrants Voting
"Devalues" The Voting Power Of U.S. Citizens. In March 2019,
Fitzpatrick voted for an amendment that would have, according to
Congressional Quarterly, "express the sense of Congress that voting is
'fundamental to a functioning democracy,' that the United States should
protect elections from foreign interference and illegal voting, and that
permitting undocumented immigrants to vote 'devalues' and 'diminishes'
the voting power of U.S. citizens." The underlying bill was H.R. 1, the
For the People Act of 2019, which would reformed the electoral system
and instituted new ethical rules for government officials. The vote was
on a motion to recommit. The House rejected the motion by a vote of 197
to 228. [House Vote 117,
3/7/19; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/7/19; Congressional
Actions, H.R.
1]
2021: Fitzpatrick Voted Against Requiring Votes To Be Made On Paper
Ballots. In March 2021, Fitzpatrick voted against the For The People
Act which would, according to Congressional Quarterly, "require all
votes to be made via paper ballots." The vote was on passage. The House
passed the bill by a vote of 220-210. The Senate did not take
substantive action on the bill. [House Vote 62,
3/3/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/3/21; Congressional
Actions, H.R.
1]
2019: Fitzpatrick Voted Against Requiring Paper Ballots That Can Be
Saved As Part Of A Larger Anti-Corruption And Democracy Reform Bill.
In March 2019, Fitzpatrick voted against The 'For The People Act.'
According to Congressional Quarterly, "To preserve the integrity of
elections the bill requires that votes be cast using paper ballots that
can be preserved for any recount or audit, and it requires the Election
Assistance Commission to award grants to states so they can replace
their voting equipment with systems that incorporate paper ballots." The
overall was, also according to CBS News, "the most sweeping
anti-corruption measure passed by the House of Representatives in a
generation, by a vote of 234 to 193. The bill focuses on voting rights,
campaign finance, and government ethics." The vote was on passage. The
House passed the bill by a vote of 234 to 193. [House Vote 118,
3/8/19; Vox,
3/8/19;
CBS News,
3/8/19;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1]
2021: Fitzpatrick Voted Against Increasing Voter Access And Awareness
For Students And People With Disabilities, Against Permitting Convicting
Felons To Participate In Elections After Serving Their Sentences, And
Prohibit/Against Prohibiting] Voter Intimidation And Voter Purging.
In March 2021, Fitzpatrick voted against the For The People Act which
would, according to Congressional Quarterly, "require a number of
activities to improve voter access and awareness for students and
individuals with disabilities; allow convicted felons to vote after
serving their prison sentences; and prohibit certain practices related
to voter deception or intimidation and removal of voters from voter
rolls." The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of
220-210. The Senate did not take substantive action on the bill. [House
Vote 62, 3/3/21;
Congressional Quarterly, 3/3/21;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1]
2021: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted Against The For The People Act,
Which Would Reform Campaign Finance And Voter Access. In March 2021,
according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for the "motion
to recommit the bill to the House Administration Committee." The vote
was on a motion to recommit. The House rejected the motion by a vote of
210-219. [House Vote 61,
3/3/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/3/21; Congressional
Actions, H.R.
1]
2021: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted Against The For The People Act,
Which Would Reform Campaign Finance And Voter Access. In March 2021,
according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for the "Greene,
R-Ga., motion to adjourn." The vote was on a motion to adjourn. The
House rejected the motion by a vote of 182-222. [House Vote 56,
3/3/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/3/21; Congressional
Actions, H.R.
1]
2019: Fitzpatrick Voted Against Requiring Voting Rights For People,
Even If They Have Been Convicted Of A Crime Unless They Are In Jail, As
Part Of A Larger Anti-Corruption And Democracy Reform Bill. In March
2019, Fitzpatrick voted against The 'For The People Act.' According to
Congressional Quarterly, "The bill gives all individuals the right to
vote even if they have been convicted of a criminal offense, except for
when the individual is imprisoned serving a felony sentence. However,
states could also provide less restrictive voting rights for felons,
such as by allowing them to vote when in prison." The overall was, also
according to CBS News, "the most sweeping anti-corruption measure passed
by the House of Representatives in a generation, by a vote of 234 to
193. The bill focuses on voting rights, campaign finance, and government
ethics." The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of
234 to 193. [House Vote 118,
3/8/19; Vox,
3/8/19;
CBS News,
3/8/19;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1]
2021: Fitzpatrick Voted Against Permitting Online And Same-Day Voter
Registration, Allow States To Automatically Register Voters, And Allow
At Least 15 Days Of Early Voting. In March 2021, Fitzpatrick voted
against the For The People Act which would, according to Congressional
Quarterly, "establish a number of national standards related to voter
registration and access. Among other provisions, it would require states
to allow online and same-day registration, automatically register
eligible voters and allow early voting at least 15 days before election
day." The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of
220-210. The Senate did not take substantive action on the bill. [House
Vote 62, 3/3/21;
Congressional Quarterly, 3/3/21;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1]
Republicans Opposed The For The People Act Arguing That The
Proposed Changes Were The Democratic Party's Attempt To Power Grab,
A Violation Of The First Amendment, And Would Mandate
Unconstitutional Election Procedures To States. According to
Congressional Quarterly, "Republicans slammed the bill, arguing the
proposed sweeping changes to American election procedures were a
partisan attempt to entrench the current Democratic majority. 'This
791-page bill would impose hundreds of unworkable, unconstitutional
election mandates onto states, it would attack the First Amendment,
it would also publicly fund congressional campaigns using corporate
dollars,' said Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Ill, the ranking member on the
House Administration panel." [Congressional Quarterly,
3/1/21]
Democrats Argued Voter Reform Would Halt Republican Attempts To
Impose Modern Jim Crow Restrictions On Voting. According to NBC
News, "President Joe Biden and Democrats say federal intervention is
needed to stop Republicans from reviving racist Jim Crow-style
restrictions that make it harder for minorities to vote." [NBC
News,
3/28/21]
The For The People Act Would Strengthen Voting Rights Through The
Expansion Of Early Voting And Vote-By-Mail, Creating Automatic Voter
Registration, And Revising Government Ethics And Campaign Finance
Laws. According to CBS News, "H.R. 1, known as the 'For the People
Act,' would overhaul government ethics and campaign finance laws,
and seek to strengthen voting rights by creating automatic voter
registration and expanding access to early and absentee voting. The
vote on the bill comes as Republican-controlled state legislatures
across the country seek to restrict voting rights, including
measures to limit mail-in voting and impose stricter voter
identification requirements." [CBS News,
3/4/21]
2021: Fitzpatrick Voted For An Amendment That Would Apply Voter
Registration And Protection Laws To U.S. Territories. In March 2021,
Fitzpatrick voted for en bloc amendments no.3 to the For The People Act
which would, according to Congressional Quarterly, "apply a number of
laws related to voter registration and protections to U.S. territories."
The vote was on adoption of amendments. The House adopted the amendments
by a vote of 221-207. [House Vote 55,
3/2/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/2/21;
Congressional Actions, H.Amdt.
20;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1]
2021: Fitzpatrick Voted Against An Amendment That Would Ensure A
Quarter Of Funds Of Student Voter Registration Grants Go Towards
Historically Black Colleges And Universities And Minority-Serving
Institutions. In March 2021, Fitzpatrick voted against en block
amendments no. 1 to the For The People Act which would, according to
Congressional Quarterly, "require the Education Department to ensure
that 25 percent of funds for certain student voter registration grants
to higher education institutions be reserved for historically Black
colleges and universities and other minority-serving institutions." The
vote was on adoption of amendments. The House adopted the amendments by
a vote of 218-210. [House Vote 52,
3/2/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/2/21;
Congressional Actions, H.Amdt.
16;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1]
2019: Fitzpatrick Voted Against Creating Nationwide Automatic Voter
Registration As Part Of A Larger Anti-Corruption And Democracy Reform
Bill. In March 2019, Fitzpatrick voted against The 'For The People
Act.' According to Vox, "Creating new national automatic voter
registration that asks voters to opt out rather than opt in, ensuring
more people will be signed up to vote. Early voting, same-day voter
registration, and online voter registration would also be promoted." The
overall was, also according to CBS News, "the most sweeping
anti-corruption measure passed by the House of Representatives in a
generation, by a vote of 234 to 193. The bill focuses on voting rights,
campaign finance, and government ethics." The vote was on passage. The
House passed the bill by a vote of 234 to 193. [House Vote 118,
3/8/19; Vox,
3/8/19;
CBS News,
3/8/19;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1]
2019: Fitzpatrick Voted Against Requiring The Election Assistance
Commission Give States Grants To Replace Old Voting Machines As Part Of
A Larger Anti-Corruption And Democracy Reform Bill. In March 2019,
Fitzpatrick voted against The 'For The People Act.' According to
Congressional Quarterly, "The Election Assistance Commission would be
required to award grants to states so they can replace their voting
equipment with systems that incorporate paper ballots. The commission
would determine grant levels to individual states, but such grants could
not be less than $1 for each of the average number of voters in the
last two elections. Voting systems updated with those grants also must
have the ability to process a ranked voter system, although states would
not be required to use that voting system. The measure authorizes $1
billion in FY 2019 for such grants, and $175 million a year for FY
2020, FY 2022, FY 2024 and FY 2026." The overall was, also according to
CBS News, "the most sweeping anti-corruption measure passed by the House
of Representatives in a generation, by a vote of 234 to 193. The bill
focuses on voting rights, campaign finance, and government ethics." The
vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 234 to 193.
[House Vote 118, 3/8/19;
Vox,
3/8/19;
CBS News,
3/8/19;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1]
2021: Fitzpatrick Voted Against An Amendment That Would Lower The
Voting Age To 16. In March 2021, Fitzpatrick voted against an
amendment to For The People Act which would, according to Congressional
Quarterly, "lower the minimum voting age to 16 years, beginning with
elections held in 2022, by prohibiting states from refusing to permit an
individual to register to vote or vote in a federal election on the
basis of age, if the individual will be at least 16 years old on the
election date." The vote was on adoption of an amendment. The House
rejected the amendment by a vote of 125-302. [House Vote 57,
3/3/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/3/21;
Congressional Actions, H.Amdt.
22;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1]
2019: Fitzpatrick Voted Against Lowering The Voting Age To 16 For
Federal Elections. If March 2019, Fitzpatrick voted against an
amendment that would, according to Congressional Quarterly, "lower[ed]
the mandatory minimum voting age to 16 years of age for federal
elections." The underlying bill was H.R. 1, the For the People Act of
2019, which would reformed the electoral system and instituted new
ethical rules for government officials. The House rejected the amendment
by a vote of 126 to 305. [House Vote 111,
3/7/19; Congressional
Quarterly, 3/7/19; Congressional
Actions, H. Amdt.
76;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1]
2019: Fitzpatrick Voted Against Making It A Crime For People To
Interfere With Someone Trying To Register To Vote And Spreading False
Information About Where And How To Vote As Part Of A Larger
Anti-Corruption And Democracy Reform Bill. In March 2019, Fitzpatrick
voted against The 'For The People Act.' According to Congressional
Quarterly, "The measure makes it a crime to 'corruptly hinder, interfere
with, or prevent another person' from registering to vote or to aid
another person in interfering. If convicted, an individual could face a
fine or imprisonment for up to five years, or both. The Election
Assistance Commission must develop and publish best practice
recommendations for states to educate voters, poll workers, and election
officials about illegal interference with the registration and voting
process." The overall was, also according to CBS News, "the most
sweeping anti-corruption measure passed by the House of Representatives
in a generation, by a vote of 234 to 193. The bill focuses on voting
rights, campaign finance, and government ethics." The vote was on
passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 234 to 193. [House Vote
118, 3/8/19;
Congressional Quarterly, 3/5/19;
CBS News,
3/8/19;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
1]