HB1 For the People Act of 2021
The For the People Act was introduced in the US House of Representatives on January 4, 2021 by multiple sponsors. The three sections of HB1 address voting, campaign finance reform and campaign ethics. The bill was passed on March 3, and sent to the Senate for consideration on March 11.
Voting:
Establishes election day as a legal public holiday
Requires automatic voter registration of eligible individuals
Requires availability of internet and same day voter registration
Prohibits requiring a notary or witness signature for voter registration and restrictions of curb side voting
Sets forth reasons for removal from voter registration roster
Requires access to voting for individuals with disabilities
Requires early voting period, secured drop boxes and promotes vote by mail
Allows states to impose reasonable deadlines for receipt of ballots
Requires minimum notification of polling places changes
Sets forth accommodations for voting on Indian lands
Ensures “a fair and equitable waiting time for all voters in the state”
Provides funds to states to track absentee ballots and recruit and train poll workers
Restores voting rights for individuals with prior convictions
Funds study of voter rates and ranked-choice voting
Restores the Voting Rights Act
Election Finance:
Overhauls the Federal Election Commission (FEC)
Fortifies campaign finance rules to curb dark money, counter foreign interference in elections, and make it harder to sidestep campaign contribution limits
Closes legal loopholes by requiring all groups that spend significant sums on campaigns to disclose donors
Expands transparency requirements to apply to online campaign ads as those run on more traditional media
Outlaws partisan gerrymandering and imposes a uniform rules for how districts should be drawn
Requires states to prioritize protections for communities of color and keeping geographically concentrated communities with shared interests (often referred to as “communities of interest”) together
Requires states to use independent redistricting commissions to draw congressional maps
Mapdrawing must be conducted in open public meetings and subject to oversight
Ethics:
Sets forth ethics violations for the President, Vice President and other federal officers and employees
Restricts “Revolving Door” practices on employees moving into the private sector
Limits federal funds and contracting with businesses owned by certain government officials and employees
Requires divestiture of financial conflicts of interests of the President, Vice President and Cabinet members
Sets forth transition team ethics
Requires members of Congress to reimburse the Treasury for Settlements and awards under the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995
Prohibits members of Congress from sitting on for-profit boards
Requires reporting of outside compensation of Congressional employees
Requires tax return disclosures for Vice Presidential and Presidential candidates
HR1 text:
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/1/text#toc-HCA780E53995B46BF9F8C08DBA5461D44
Analysis of HR1:
https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/policy-solutions/congress-must-pass-people-act#s2-sb