WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) joined U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and 7 other Members of Congress on Wednesday in introducing bicameral legislation to protect voters and election workers from intimidation and threats of violence at polling locations. The Freedom from Intimidation in Elections Act would help ensure every voter and election worker has the right to cast their ballot and conduct their official duties free from fear and intimidation.

The bill would update existing anti-intimidation provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to limit the presence of visible firearms at locations where voters cast their ballot or election workers perform their official duties, empowering poll workers and election officials to continue safely administering elections.

The right to vote is a central pillar of American democracy, but rising political violence against voters and poll workers threatens election security. False allegations of widespread voter fraud have further increased tensions at election centers. 38 percent of election workers have reported experiencing threats, harassment, or abuse as of May 2024.

“The presence of firearms at polling places isn’t just dangerous—it’s a direct threat to our democratic process. As armed extremists fueled by rumors and conspiracy theories increasingly show up at the polls to bully voters and election workers, our message is clear: intimidation has no place at the ballot box. This legislation would take important steps to ensure every American feels safe to make their voice heard on election day,” said Murphy.

“We must stop voter suppression and intimidation – threatening free, fair elections, which are the lifeblood of our democracy. Protecting election workers as well as voters from intimidation with firearms at the polls is basic democratic common sense. The growing dangers of political violence and extremist threats make this legislation all the more important,” said Blumenthal.

“In no corner of America should the fear of violence prevent voters from casting their ballot or keep elections workers from showing up to work,” said Padilla. “Unfortunately, we have a long, dark history of voter suppression and intimidation in America, reignited by partisan rhetoric and false narratives about election fraud. That’s why our bicameral bill would keep visible firearms out of election centers to ensure election workers can do their jobs and all Americans feel safe exercising their right to vote.”

Specifically, the Freedom from Intimidation in Elections Act would:

  1. Amend Section 11(b) of the Voting Rights Act to establish a rebuttable presumption that a person carrying a visible firearm while engaging in election-related activities is engaging in voter intimidation;
  2. Provide civil remedies for individuals who experience this type of intimidation, including an emergency injunction that would allow the voter or election official to carry out their duties in peace; and
  3. Recognize an exception for law enforcement officers acting within their official duties. 

U.S. Senators Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) also cosponsored the bill in the Senate. U.S. Representatives Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.-17) and Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.-25) cosponsored the bill in the House of Representatives.

The Freedom from Intimidation in Elections Act is endorsed by organizations including the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law, GIFFORDS, Newtown Action Alliance, Brady: United Against Gun Violence, Everytown for Gun Safety, March for Our Lives, Institute for Responsive Government, League of Conservation Voters, Center for American Progress, End Citizens United Action Fund, Common Cause, Defend the Vote Action Fund, Fair Elections Center, Democracy SENTRY, League of Women Voters, Public Citizen, Faith in Public Life Action, Sierra Club, and Voto Latino.

Full text of the bill is available HERE. A one-pager on the bill is available HERE.

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