Brownley, Larsen, and Veasey Introduce Legislation to Combat Discriminatory Voter ID Laws

Washington, DC - Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26) joined Congressman Rick Larsen (WA-02) and Congressman Mark Veasey (TX-33) in introducing the America Votes Act, legislation to protect U.S. citizens who face disenfranchisement because of restrictive voter identification (ID) laws.

Despite claims that restrictive voter ID laws are necessary to prevent voter impersonation, there is no evidence of widespread voter fraud in the United States. Some state legislatures across the country continue to use excessively restrictive voter ID laws to target and deny certain Americans the right to vote. Restrictive voter ID laws disproportionately impact Black and transgender Americans, perpetuating the systematic disenfranchisement of certain groups in the United States.

In 2026, a total of 36 states require voters to show identification to cast a ballot, and 24 of those states require voters to present identification with a photograph. These identification requirements are in addition to those under federal law to register to vote.

The America Votes Act would establish new federal protections for registered voters to affirm their identity by submitting a sworn, written statement, even if they do not have a government-issued ID. Voters who sign a sworn, written statement can vote using a standard, non-provisional ­­ballot. The legislation is modeled on a successful Washington state law that allows voters to affirm their identity by submitting a similar written statement along with their mail-in ballot.

The full text of the America Votes Act is available here.

In addition to Brownley, the America Votes Act is also cosponsored by Representatives Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Betty McCollum (MN-04), and André Carson (IL-07).

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Issues: 119th Congress, Voting Rights