Congressman Cleaver Introduces EASY Voting Act

“Students should be encouraged to vote, not misled, confused, or outright barred from voting,” said Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II.

Today Congressman Cleaver introduced the EASY (Equal Access to Support Youth) Voting Act. HR 3978 will allow a student to vote in a federal election using their current student photo identification. It will also make it a federal crime for any individual to purposely discourage a student from voting by providing false or misleading information.

“While the integrity of our political process must be beyond reproach, we must at the same time, strive to protect the right to vote for all eligible citizens. I want students to have access to the electorate and be able to easily exercise their civic duty and make their voices heard.”

11% of Americans do not have current government issued photo identification. That number jumps to 18% for those between the ages of 18-24. In the last year, dozens of new voting restrictions have been proposed by states throughout the country that would make it harder for Americans to register to vote and to cast a ballot.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Belton, Raymore and Peculiar, Missouri. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee. Congressman Cleaver also serves as a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus and Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus.