POLL Act People Over Long Lines Act
The bill amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002, establishing strict guidelines for states to ensure equitable access to voting across populations, including the elderly and individuals with disabilities. States must evaluate historical wait times and allocate resources accordingly to mitigate disparities, ensuring that polling places are equipped to handle the projected voter turnout based on various demographic factors. Additionally, the bill introduces repercussions for states that fail to comply with these standards, reinforcing the federal commitment to accessible voting.
SB3517, known as the 'People Over Long Lines Act' or the 'POLL Act', aims to address the issue of extensive waiting times at polling places during federal elections. It mandates that each state create and publicly share a plan detailing the measures they will take to ensure reasonable wait times, specifically to limit waiting to no more than 30 minutes per voter at any polling site. This requirement seeks to increase voter participation by minimizing the deterrent effect of long lines, particularly in communities that have historically faced longer wait times.
Notably, the POLL Act responds to widespread concerns about voter suppression, particularly in minority communities that experience disproportionately longer delays during elections. Critics of the current voting system have pointed to these long wait times as a barrier to voting, with estimates suggesting that these delays could dissuade hundreds of thousands of potential voters from participating in elections. The implementation of this bill may also spark debate regarding state versus federal control over election processes, necessitating careful navigation to balance accessibility while respecting state autonomy.