Ahead of Midterms, Shaheen Joins Co-Leads Legislation to Keep Voters and Election Workers Safe from Guns at the Polls
(Washington, DC) – Ahead of the upcoming election and early voting period, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and a group of Senators led by Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) introduced the Vote Without Fear Act, legislation to prevent armed voter intimidation at the polls. The legislation would prohibit the possession of a firearm within 100 yards of any federal election site, with exceptions for on-duty law enforcement or security guards. Only six states – Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas – and the District of Columbia currently ban guns at the polls while instances of private citizens bringing guns to polling places as well as threats against election workers are both on the rise.
U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Bob Casey (D-PA), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Ed Markey (D-MA) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) co-sponsored the legislation.
“Voters should be able to cast their ballots free from intimidation and poll workers should be able to feel safe while fulfilling their important roles,” said Shaheen. “This legislation is an important step toward making sure all citizens feel secure at their polling place on election day.”
“At the foundation of American democracy is the right to make your voice heard. Free and fair elections cannot happen occur in the face of armed intimidation at the polls, but that’s become a disturbing reality for some Americans, as extremists driven by conspiracy theories about voter fraud are increasingly showing up to polling places with guns. This legislation will ensure voters and election workers continue to feel safe participating in the democratic process,” said Murphy.
“Armed voter intimidation poses a serious threat not only to public safety, but to our democracy. These incidents of violent extremism are on the rise and are only anticipated to worsen as we enter the election season. Every American should be able to safely cast their vote in the absence of fear. I am proud to support this commonsense legislation and thank my colleague, Senator Murphy, for leading the charge,” said Blumenthal.
“The ballot box is our democracy’s first line of defense and the last place an American should ever have to worry for their safety or feel intimidated,” said Markey. “I am proud to join my colleague Senator Murphy in introducing the Vote Without Fear Act as we continue our shared fight to end the gun violence epidemic.”
“Voters should be able to cast their ballots free of fear or intimidation from someone brandishing a gun. Our bill protects public safety and the integrity of our elections by keeping firearms away from our polling places,” said Feinstein.
“Armed intimidation at election sites disenfranchises voters and suppresses votes. Newtown Action Alliance is proud to support a legislation that will promote safe and free elections for all American voters,” said Po Murray, Chairwoman of Newtown Action Alliance.
Full text of the bill is available here.
Shaheen is a lead sponsor of legislation that would reform and modernize the outdated Electoral Count Act of 1887 to ensure that the electoral votes tallied by Congress accurately reflect each state’s vote for President to safeguard our democratic processes and elections.
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