Press Releases

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) has cosponsored the Stay in Line to Vote Act, legislation that would explicitly allow food and drink to be provided to voters while they wait in line at polling places. Last month, legislators in Georgia passed a restrictive voting law that placed new obstacles between voters and their right to vote, including a provision that makes it a crime to provide food or drink - even water - to people waiting in line to vote. The Stay in Line to Vote Act would provide a basic level of support to voters as they wait to cast their ballot, especially in areas where long lines can deter voting.

“Voting is one of the most sacred rights we have in American Democracy. The continuing attempts we're seeing across the country to disenfranchise voters and make voting more difficult are the new Jim Crow,” said Rep. Pingree. “Congress must do everything possible to protect access to the ballot box for all. This includes reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act, passage of H.R. 1 and support for bills like the Stay in Line to Vote Act, which will stop dangerous and bad faith voter suppression laws."

During the 2020 elections, voters across the country were forced to wait for hours to cast their ballots. Too often, these extremely long wait times disproportionately occur in areas with many voters of color. Civic engagement should be celebrated and encouraged, not crushed by restrictive, unnecessary laws that will disproportionately affect voters of color. This legislation will support equal access to the ballot and counter voter suppression efforts that are occurring across the United States.

In March, Pingree voted with her House colleagues to approve H.R. 1, The For The People Act.

Text of the bill is available HERE.

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