NEW YORK – Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (NY-12) joined union and community organizations on March 6 to applaud the House passage of H.R. 1, the For the People Act, a sweeping anti-corruption package to protect and expand voting rights and accessibility, restore integrity to government, and put the needs and priorities of the American people ahead of special interests. Included in H.R. 1 is Congresswoman Maloney’s Vote By Mail Tracking Act to make it easier for election officials and voters to track the status of their ballots and for the Postal Service to identify, process, and deliver ballots more effectively. 

“H.R. 1, the For the People Act is the bold and historic reform package we need to clean up corruption in government, fight secret money in politics, and help ensure fair and free elections,” said Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (NY-12). “The American people spoke loud and clear in November and are demanding that Congress restore faith in our democracy and clean up our government. The House has answered that call and fulfilled that promise with H.R. 1 and my Vote by Mail Tracking Act. After an election year with record-breaking numbers of Americans participating in the electoral process, it has never been more critical to provide the public with the peace of mind that every vote matters and is counted, to ensure large sums of cash don’t dictate election results, and to guarantee that every eligible voter who wants to vote has the opportunity and ability to do so.” 

"Common Cause/NY applauds the House of Representatives for passing the For the People Act: a bold democracy reform package that puts power back in the hands of voters,” said Susan Lerner, Executive Director, Common Cause. “Now, Senator Schumer must do the right thing and not allow anything to stop this critical legislation in the Senate. Let all Americans vote!"

“The 2020 election underscored the need for comprehensive, structural voting reform at the national level. We must ensure equal access to our democracy and address all barriers to voting, especially those that marginalize rather than empower voters. The City of New York and DemocracyNYC thank Congresswoman Maloney and the House Leadership for passing the For the People Act, critical legislation that paves the way for a more inclusive and just democratic process," said Laura Wood, Senior Advisor & General Counsel, DemocracyNYC.

"The New York Metro Area Postal Union (APWU) supports all legislation that will make voting easier, more accessible, and offers full and complete transparency, especially under the reign of the current Postmaster General and his destructive policies,” said President Jonathan Smith, New York Metro Area Postal Union (APWU).

“Despite the United States Postal Service and its dedicated workforce taking extraordinary measures to secure the vote by mail process this election, the ability to deliver voters’ ballots was routinely brought into question. The fact of the matter is the Postal Service processed: 135 million ballots to and from voters; 610 million pieces of election mail; and, 4 billion pieces of political mail. 97.9% of ballots were delivered within 3 days and 99.7% of ballots within 5 days.

“Members of National Postal Mail Handlers Union (NPMHU) Local 300 are grateful for the work of House Committee on Oversight and Reform (COR) Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney is doing to bolster confidence in the vote by mail system with her Vote by Mail Tracking Act. Further bringing attention to the vote by mail system, the language of H.R. 1307 will be included in the For the People Act, H.R. 1, which includes multiple voter protections and promotes participation in the democratic process.

“Local 300 and NPMHU National Office will continue to push legislative items like the Vote by Mail Tracking Act that strengthen the election process and ensure voters’ voices are heard, in both the House and Senate,” said Yvette Johnson, Vice President, National Postal Mail Handlers Union, Local 300.

More information on H.R. 1 can be found online: https://hr1-cha.house.gov.