ATL Standard

WASHINGTON – On May 2, 2023, Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05), announced she introduced the Election Mail Act, legislation to strengthen and modernize voting by mail. Congresswoman Williams introduced similar legislation in the 117th Congress. Eighteen Representatives are co-sponsoring the Election Mail Act. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Chairwoman of the Committee on Rules and Administration, introduced companion legislation in the Senate.   

The Election Mail Act would: ensure voters and election officials do not have to pay to return mail-in ballots, prevent USPS from making operational changes within 120 days of an election that would restrict the prompt and reliable delivery of election mail, require states to count absentee ballots that are postmarked by election day and arrive within seven day after the election, while permitting states to have deadlines more than seven days following the election, require USPS to postmark all ballots and election officials and USPS to use special tags that help to identify ballots in mail processing facilities to ensure timely delivery, require states and jurisdictions to use Intelligent Mail barcodes that allow voters to track their ballots, and require USPS to consult annually with Native American tribes on postal issues that affect voting on tribal lands.

Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05) said: 

“The 2020 and 2022 elections proved how necessary–and powerful–voting by mail is. There is no better example than in Georgia, where voting by mail was instrumental to Georgians changing the direction of our country forever. Now Congress should create a national standard for voting by mail so that everyone can have confidence their vote will be counted–no matter their ZIP Code, no matter how they chose to vote.” 

Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) said: 

“Millions of Americans use mail-in voting because it is a simple, accessible way to make their voices heard. That’s why it’s critical that election mail is delivered and processed in a timely manner and that no voter has to pay for postage to cast a ballot. By improving the processing and delivery of election mail, this legislation will make it easier for all Americans to participate in our democracy.”

Click here for the text of the Election Mail Act. 

CONTACT: PressGA05@mail.house.gov  

Congresswoman Nikema Williams proudly serves Georgia’s Fifth Congressional District on the exclusive Financial Services Committee. She is a champion of voting rights and builds on the Fifth District’s legacy as the cradle of the civil rights movement. Congresswoman Williams is also committed to closing the racial wealth gap and ensuring the promise of America for all–regardless of your ZIP code or bank account.

Original source can be found here.