Bill would increase voting participation
This bill sets minimum requirements that states must follow to ensure easy access for voting in federal elections.
It would override state-imposed restrictions that contradict these federal standards.
It also prescribes ethical standards for the president, vice president, and members of Congress.
Title 1: Prevents barriers to voting
This section prevents states from erecting barriers to voting. Among its provisions...
o Limits a state's ability to unregister voters based on voter caging or programs such as Crosscheck.
o Allows challenges to voter eligibility only with factual basis from election officials.
o Felons who no longer are serving their sentences would be eligible to vote.
o Requires that a provisional ballot submitted by an eligible voter be counted.
o Requires states to allow at least 2 weeks for early voting. Polling places must be located near public transportation, in rural areas, and be open at least 10 hours per day. They must be open outside of regular working hours, and must work to prevent excessive wait times.
o Requires all states to support voting by mail in most instances.
o States that require a photo ID for voting must accept a sworn affidavit in lieu of ID.
It also would make election day a public holiday
Title 2: Makes Congressional districts non-political
This section would eliminate partisan gerrymandering by requiring states to use independent commissions to determine their Congressional districts.
It would further restrict the removal of voters from the list of registered voters.
Title 3: Voting machines must be made in the U.S.
This section outlines methods for tightening election security, including encouraging ethical hackers to test and report technological vulnerabilities.
It would require that voting machines used for federal elections be made in the United States.
Title 4: Enacts the DISCLOSE Act
This section contains the most recent attempt to enact the DISCLOSE Act, which would eliminate secrecy in large campaign donations - including those from foreign sources.
It would further restrict foreign contributions.
It also would repeal several riders to budget bills - including ones that exempt certain nonprofits and those applying for federal contracts from having to disclose political spending.
Title 5: Nullify Citizens United
This section proposes a Constitutional amendment to allow Congress and states to set reasonable campaign spending limits that distinguish between natural persons and artificial entities like corporations.
It essentially would nullify the Supreme Court's 2010 decision in Citizens United v. FEC.
Title 6: Make FEC effective
This section would restructure the Federal Election Commission (FEC) - including the creation of an independent "tiebreaker" seat.
It would tighten restrictions on coordination between Super PAC and candidates.
Title 7: Ethical Standards
This section would require a code of ethics for Supreme Court justices - covering issues such as recusal, financial disclosure, outside employment, and partisan political activity.
It would increase disclosure requirements for federal lobbyists.
It also would require presidential appointees to recuse themselves from government matters to which the president has a personal interest.
Title 8: Limit executive branch conflicts of interest
This section would strengthen restrictions on conflicts of interest for senior government officials.
It would...
o Slow the so-called revolving door by prohibiting officials from awarding contracts to their former employers for two years after leaving a company, and from joining an industry they oversaw for two years after leaving their government position.
o Restrict federal funds from being spent at businesses owned by the president, vice president, cabinet members, or their families.
o Prohibit the president and vice president from owning assets that pose conflicts of interests unless they are kept in a blind trust.
Title 9: Ethical requirements for members of Congress
This section would prohibit members of the House of Representatives from serving on the boards of for-profit companies (senators already are prohibited).
It would prohibit members of Congress from working on legislation for the purpose of furthering their personal financial interests.
It would require Congressional candidates to disclose donors who are registered lobbyists.
Title 10: Presidential tax transparency
This section would require the president, vice president, and major-party candidates for these offices to disclose the prior 10 years' tax returns for themselves and businesses they own.
More information
For a deeper look at each of the bill's key provisions, read this Brennan Center report
Bill being blocked by Senate Republicans
This bill is being blocked in the Senate by a Republican filibuster. It was voted on there as as a seprate bill (S-2093). Though the vote was 50-50, overcoming a filibuster requires 60 votes.
Click here to view the Senate vote.