Press Releases

Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) today joined Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04) and Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05) in introducing the Our Homes, Our Votes Act, a bill that would allow eligible and interested tenants of federally subsidized housing to register to vote as they sign their lease and have their income verified. 

The Our Homes, Our Votes Act builds on the groundbreaking National Voter Registration Act of 1993, also known as the “Motor Voter Law,” which allows eligible voters to register at the DMV when obtaining or renewing a driver’s license. Just as the “Motor Voter Law” expanded access to voter registration, this act aims to extend the same opportunity to tenants in federally subsidized housing programs. 

Barriers such as the lack of a permanent address can make the voter registration process more challenging for renters in comparison to homeowners. Data from the 2022 midterms shows that only 35% of eligible renters voted, in contrast to 58% of eligible homeowners. 

Specifically, the bill would increase voter registration by: 

• Expanding registration access by allowing eligible and interested tenants in subsidized housing administered by a public housing agency (PHA) to register to vote as they sign their lease without requiring duplicate information.

• Ensuring timely transmission of registration forms by requiring PHA’s and private landlords to quickly submit completed registration forms to local election authorities. 

• Designating private landlords of subsidized housing as “voter registration agents” responsible for distributing forms and providing assistance as needed. 

• Promoting language accessibility by encouraging language services for non-English speaking tenants, ensuring that every eligible resident can register and vote.

“Voters who are low-income or housing insecure continue to face barriers to exercising their right to vote,” said Rep. Scanlon. “I’m proud to introduce the Our Homes, Our Votes Act with Reps. García and Williams, which will expand access to voter registration services for those who might otherwise be denied access and help them contribute to a functioning and healthy democracy.”

“Our democracy is strongest when every voice is heard, yet today, many barriers to voter registration remain — disproportionately affecting low-income and housing-insecure individuals,” said Rep. García. “Our bill, the Our Homes, Our Votes Act, would eliminate some of these barriers by allowing eligible voters who have had their identity and residence verified to complete the voter registration form on-site, ensuring their voices are heard.” 

“We must keep fighting to eliminate barriers to the sacred right to vote as we work to strengthen our democracy. The Our Homes, Our Votes Act will help us close the voter registration gap for public housing residents by providing the option to register while filling out their housing documents. This bill is about ensuring that everyone—regardless of where they live—can make their voice heard and participate fully in shaping our nation’s future,” said Rep. Williams.

“Too often, low-income renters face barriers to the ballot box, and as a result, they remain woefully underrepresented in our democracy,” said Diane Yentel, president & CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition. “By establishing a seamless voter registration process for residents of public and federally subsidized housing, the Our Homes, Our Votes Act will empower the lowest-income renters to participate in elections and make their voices heard. I applaud Representatives Chuy García, Nikema Williams, and Mary Gay Scanlon for their leadership on this innovative and common-sense proposal to make it easier for low-income renters to participate in the democratic process and have a say in the policies directly affecting their own lives.”

Representatives García, Scanlon, and Williams were joined by Reps. Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Barbara Lee (CA-12), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-00), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Sean Casten (IL-06), Darren Soto (FL-09), Ted Lieu (CA-36), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Melanie Stansbury (NM-01), and Nanette Barragán (CA-44).

The bill is endorsed by: The National Low Income Housing Coalition, Housing Action Illinois, Brighton Park Neighborhood Council, Chicago Rehab Network, The Resurrection Project, Jonathan Rose Companies, LLC, The National Housing Law Project, Sponsors Inc. 

A summary of the bill can be found here.

The full text of the bill can be found here.

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