Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., opened the door to a compromise on voting legislation Wednesday with a memo outlining provisions of federal voting and campaign finance legislation that he would support.
Manchin has emerged as a key figure in his party's fight to pass federal legislation aimed at protecting voting rights. The moderate Democrat has opposed his party's voting legislation, the For the People Act, saying it's too partisan and arguing that any voting changes should have bipartisan support.
He supports a narrower bill, the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, but says he doesn't believe the filibuster rules should be changed to pass it despite opposition of most Republicans.
Manchin's compromise proposals include making election day a public holiday, offering 15 consecutive days of early voting for federal elections, and automatic voter registration through state departments of motor vehicles.
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He also proposes requiring voter identification, but allowing alternatives like utility bills to suffice as proof of identity.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has said no Republicans will vote the For the People Act and argued the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act is unnecessary.
In his memo, Manchin reiterated his desire for bipartisan support and offered up changes to both bills.
"Congressional action on federal voting rights legislation must be the result of both Democrats and Republicans coming together to find a pathway forward or we risk further dividing and destroying the republic we swore to protect and defend as elected officials," he wrote.