Johnson’s VOTE Act Unanimously Passes House Administration Committee, Heads to House Floor

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Julie Johnson (TX-32) announced that her Voter Outreach for Transparent Elections (VOTE) Act was unanimously passed out of the Committee on House Administration. This bill now heads to the House floor for a vote.

“In a Republican-controlled Congress, being an effective legislator means knowing how to build support, find common ground, and deliver meaningful results for North Texans. The unanimous passage of my VOTE Act out of committee proves that protecting Americans’ access to the ballot box and strengthening trust in our elections can and should rise above partisan politics,” said Johnson. “As we head into the upcoming midterm elections, it is critical that every eligible voter has clear, timely, and accurate information about when, where, and how to vote. Across the country, we have seen confusion around polling place changes and election administration create unnecessary barriers for voters. The VOTE Act is a commonsense step to help ensure voters are informed and prepared so their voices can be heard. I will continue working with anyone willing to protect the fundamental right to vote for every American.”

“Congresswoman Julie Johnson has shown what real leadership looks like by listening directly to Dallas County voters and local election leaders, taking our concerns seriously, and turning those conversations into legislative priorities,” said Kardal Coleman, Chair of the Dallas County Democratic Party. “After voter suppression tactics by local Republicans caused chaos during our March primary, Congresswoman Johnson brought voter’s concerns to the table, worked across the aisle, and moved the VOTE Act forward with unanimous and bipartisan committee support. That is the kind of responsiveness and coalition building it requires to meet this moment. People are hurting and our country needs fixing, However, our progress will depend on protecting access to the ballot box.” 

“I am excited to see the progress on the VOTE Act,” said Dallas County Commissioner Andy Sommerman. “Julie has been incredibly responsive to the concerns raised by voters and community leaders following the March primary, and she turned those conversations into meaningful action. Great work, Congresswoman Johnson.” 

Johnson’s legislation establishes clear, minimum notification requirements to ensure voters are promptly informed of any polling place changes, so no one is disenfranchised due to confusion or lack of notice. Committee passage of Johnson’s bill comes after Republicans worked to restrict ballot access in Dallas County’s March 3rd primary by eliminating countywide vote centers and requiring voters to cast ballots only in their assigned precincts on Election Day.

In April, Johnson joined Committee on House Administration Ranking Member Joe Morelle (NY-25) and local leaders from across Dallas County for a roundtable discussion in Dallas on the issues that occurred during the March 3 primary, while also building support for passage of Johnson’s VOTE Act in the House.

To read the full text of the VOTE Act that the Committee on House Administration passed, click here. To watch Johnson’s remarks in committee on the passage of the bill, click here.

Congresswoman Julie Johnson represents Texas’s 32nd Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives, serving on the Homeland Security Committee, Foreign Affairs Committee, and the House Administration Committee. Her district includes parts of Collin, Dallas, and Denton Counties.

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