Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.V., announced in a Sunday op-ed that he is voting against the For the People Act. The move drew sharp condemnation from Democrats.

The right-leaning Manchin holds a decisive vote in the Senate, which is split 50-50. Manchin posted his reasons for voting against overhauling election laws in the Charleston Gazette-Mail. He also affirmed that he opposes changing the filibuster.

"I believe that partisan voting legislation will destroy the already weakening binds of our democracy, and for that reason, I will vote against the For the People Act. Furthermore, I will not vote to weaken or eliminate the filibuster. For as long as I have the privilege of being your U.S. senator, I will fight to represent the people of West Virginia, to seek bipartisan compromise no matter how difficult and to develop the political bonds that end divisions and help unite the country we love," Manchin wrote.

The For the People Act would expand voting rights, overhauls campaign finance laws to reduce corporate money influence, limits partisan gerrymandering, and creates ethics rules for federal officeholders such as requiring top government officials to disclose 10 years of tax returns.

The law, also known as H.R. 1, was a top priority of the Biden administration. Democrats have failed to garner Republican support for the sweeping voter rights bills.

Manchin, 73, represents West Virginia, one of the most right-leaning states in the nation. After serving two terms as governor, he has been in the Senate since 2011.

Democrats slammed Manchin for his decision on the election bill.

An International Business Times staff reporter contributed to this report.