2024: Schweikert Voted To Prohibit Funding For An Executive Action Promoting Access To Voting. In June 2024, Schweikert voted for , 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: Schweikert Voted To Prohibit Funding For An Executive Action Promoting Access To Voting. In June 2024, Schweikert voted for , 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: Schweikert Voted To Prohibit Funding For An Executive Action Promoting Access To Voting. In June 2024, Schweikert voted for , 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: Schweikert Voted Against An Amendment That Would Allow Incarcerated Felons To Vote During Elections. In March 2021, Schweikert 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: Schweikert 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, Schweikert 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: Schweikert 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, Schweikert 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: Schweikert 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, Schweikert 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: Schweikert 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, Schweikert 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: Schweikert 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, Schweikert 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: Schweikert 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, Schweikert 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: Schweikert 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, Schweikert 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: Schweikert Voted Against Requiring All Polling Places In Each Respective State To Be Open For A Time Not Varying By More Than Two Hours. If March 2019, Schweikert voted against 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: Schweikert Voted To Require Proof Of Citizenship To Register To Vote In Federal Elections And To Remove Non-Citizens From Voting Rolls. In July 2024, Schweikert 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: Schweikert Voted Against Requiring States To Accept Pre-Registration For Americans 16 Years And 17 Years Old. If March 2019, Schweikert voted against 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: Schweikert Voted To Express Undocumented Immigrants Voting "Devalues" The Voting Power Of U.S. Citizens. In March 2019, Schweikert 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: Schweikert Voted Against Requiring Votes To Be Made On Paper Ballots. In March 2021, Schweikert 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: Schweikert Voted Against Requiring Paper Ballots That Can Be Saved As Part Of A Larger Anti-Corruption And Democracy Reform Bill. In March 2019, Schweikert 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: Schweikert 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, Schweikert 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: Schweikert Effectively Voted Against The For The People Act, Which Would Reform Campaign Finance And Voter Access. In March 2021, according to Congressional Quarterly, Schweikert 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: Schweikert Effectively Voted Against The For The People Act, Which Would Reform Campaign Finance And Voter Access. In March 2021, according to Congressional Quarterly, Schweikert 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: Schweikert 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, Schweikert 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: Schweikert 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, Schweikert 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: Schweikert Voted Against An Amendment That Would Apply Voter Registration And Protection Laws To U.S. Territories. In March 2021, Schweikert voted against 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: Schweikert 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, Schweikert 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: Schweikert Voted Against Creating Nationwide Automatic Voter Registration As Part Of A Larger Anti-Corruption And Democracy Reform Bill. In March 2019, Schweikert 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: Schweikert 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, Schweikert 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: Schweikert Voted Against An Amendment That Would Lower The Voting Age To 16. In March 2021, Schweikert 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: Schweikert Voted Against Lowering The Voting Age To 16 For Federal Elections. If March 2019, Schweikert 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: Schweikert 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, Schweikert 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]