US Senate Democrats introduce sweeping election reform bill facing steep odds

US Senate Democrats on Wednesday introduced a sweeping election reform bill, a top priority for the party that cleared the House of Representatives earlier this month but faces steep odds in the upper chamber.

Like the House version, the Senate's For the People Act would update voting procedures and require states to turn over the task of redrawing congressional districts to independent commissions.

Democratic President Joe Biden has said he would sign the bill into law if it passes Congress, but it faces Republican opposition in the 50-50 Senate, where most measures need 60 votes to pass.

The stakes are high for congressional Democrats. Following the completion of the census, the decennial population count, states will be tasked with redrawing congressional districting maps that will be used for the next decade.

Historically, both parties have used those maps to amplify the votes of their supporters and diminish those of the other party. Gerrymandering has also been used to dilute the political power of Black voters.

Like the House version, the Senate's For the People Act would update voting procedures and require states to turn over the task of redrawing congressional districts to independent commissions.

Democratic President Joe Biden has said he would sign the bill into law if it passes Congress, but it faces Republican opposition in the 50-50 Senate, where most measures need 60 votes to pass.

The stakes are high for congressional Democrats. Following the completion of the census, the decennial population count, states will be tasked with redrawing congressional districting maps that will be used for the next decade.

Historically, both parties have used those maps to amplify the votes of their supporters and diminish those of the other party. Gerrymandering has also been used to dilute the political power of Black voters.