January 30, 2026
Mr. Steil (for himself, Mrs. Miller of Illinois, Mr. Murphy, Mr. Carey, Mr. Tiffany, Mr. Van Orden, Mr. Begich, Mrs. Bice, Mr. Tony Gonzales of Texas, Mr. Bresnahan, Mr. Fong, Mr. Edwards, Mrs. Miller-Meeks, Mr. Bilirakis, Mr. Hern of Oklahoma, Mr. Patronis, Mrs. Kim, Mr. Bean of Florida, Mr. Hamadeh of Arizona, Mr. Walberg, Mr. Rose, Mr. Gooden, Mr. Mackenzie, Mr. Allen, and Mr. Pfluger) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Government Reform, the Judiciary, Homeland Security, and Intelligence (Permanent Select), for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
To promote the integrity and improve the administration of elections for Federal office, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Make Elections Great Again Act
.
Sec. 2. Table of Contents
The table of contents for this Act is as follows:
Title I Election Integrity
Subtitle A Requiring Photo ID for Voting
Sec. 101. Requiring voters to provide photo identification
(a) Requirement to provide photo identification as condition of casting ballot
(1) In general
Title III of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21081 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 303 the following new section:
303A. Photo identification requirements
(a) Provision of identification required as condition of casting ballot
(1) Individuals voting in person
(A) Requirement to provide identification
Notwithstanding any other provision of law and except as provided in subparagraph (B), the appropriate State or local election official may not provide a ballot for an election for Federal office to an individual who desires to vote in person unless the individual presents to the official a valid physical photo identification.
(B) Availability of provisional ballot
(i) In general
If an individual does not present the identification required under subparagraph (A), the individual shall be permitted to cast a provisional ballot with respect to the election under section 302(a), except that the appropriate State or local election official may not make a determination under section 302(a)(4) that the individual is eligible under State law to vote in the election unless, not later than 3 days after casting the provisional ballot, the individual presents to the official—
(I)
the identification required under subparagraph (A); or
(II)
an affidavit developed and made available to the individual by the State attesting that the individual does not possess the identification required under subparagraph (A) because the individual has a religious objection to being photographed.
(ii) No effect on other provisional balloting rules
Nothing in clause (i) may be construed to apply to the casting of a provisional ballot pursuant to section 302(a) or any State law for reasons other than the failure to present the identification required under subparagraph (A).
(2) Individuals voting other than in person
(A) In general
Notwithstanding any other provision of law and except as provided in subparagraph (B), the appropriate State or local election official may not accept any ballot for an election for Federal office provided by an individual who votes other than in person unless the individual submits with the ballot—
(i)
a copy of a valid photo identification; or
(ii)
the last four digits of the individual’s Social Security number and an affidavit developed and made available to the individual by the State attesting that the individual is unable to obtain a copy of a valid photo identification after making reasonable efforts to obtain such a copy.
(B) Exceptions
(i) In general
Subparagraph (A) does not apply with respect to a ballot provided by—
(I)
an absent uniformed services voter who, by reason of active duty or service, is absent from the United States on the date of the election involved; or
(II)
an individual provided the right to vote otherwise than in person under section 3(b)(2)(B)(ii) of the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act (52 U.S.C. 20102(b)(2)(B)(ii)).
(ii) Absent uniformed services voter defined
In this subparagraph, the term absent uniformed services voter has the meaning given such term in section 107(1) of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (52 U.S.C. 20310(1)), other than an individual described in section 107(1)(C) of such Act.
(b) Providing public access to digital imaging devices
With respect to each State, the appropriate State or local government official of the State shall ensure, to the extent practicable, public access to a digital imaging device, which shall include a printer, copier, image scanner, or multifunction machine, at State and local government buildings in the State, including courts, libraries, and police stations, for the purpose of allowing individuals to use such a device at no cost to the individual to make a copy of a valid photo identification.
(c) Valid photo identifications described
For purposes of this section, a
valid photo identificationmeans, with respect to an individual who seeks to vote in a State, any of the following:(1)
A valid State-issued motor vehicle driver’s license that includes a photo of the individual and an expiration date.
(2)
A valid State-issued identification card that includes a photo of the individual and an expiration date.
(3)
A valid United States passport for the individual.
(4)
A valid military identification for the individual.
(5)
A valid identification document issued by a Tribal government that includes a photo of the individual and an expiration date.
(6)
Any other form of government-issued identification that the State may specify as a valid photo identification for purposes of this subsection, excluding identification cards provided by an educational institution.
(d) Notification of identification requirement to applicants for voter registration
(1) In general
Each State shall ensure that, at the time an individual applies to register to vote in elections for Federal office in the State, the appropriate State or local election official notifies the individual of the photo identification requirements of this section.
(2) Special rule for individuals applying to register to vote online
Each State shall ensure that, in the case of an individual who applies to register to vote in elections for Federal office in the State online, the online voter registration system notifies the individual of the photo identification requirements of this section before the individual completes the online registration process.
(e) Effective date
This section shall apply with respect to elections for Federal office held in 2027 or any succeeding year.
(2) Clerical amendment
The table of contents of such Act is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 303 the following new item:
(b) Conforming amendment relating to voluntary guidance by Election Assistance Commission
Section 311(b) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 21101(b)) is amended—
(1)
by striking and
at the end of paragraph (2);
(2)
by striking the period at the end of paragraph (3) and inserting ; and
; and
(3)
by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
(4)
in the case of the recommendations with respect to section 303A, October 1, 2025.
(c) Conforming amendment relating to enforcement
Section 401 of such Act (52 U.S.C. 21111) is amended by striking sections 301, 302, 303, and 304
and inserting subtitle A of title III
.
(d) Effective Date
This section and the amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to elections for Federal office held in 2027 or any succeeding year.
Subtitle B Voter Registration and List Maintenance Requirements
Sec. 111. Repeal of requirements with respect to administration of voter registration
(a) Repeal of existing requirements
(1) National Voter Registration Act of 1993
Section 8 of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20507) is repealed.
(2) Help America Vote Act of 2002
(A) Repeal
Except as provided under subparagraph (B), section 303 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21083) is repealed.
(B) Exception
Subparagraph (A) does not apply with respect to section 303(a)(5)(C) of such Act.
(b) Conforming amendments
The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20501 et seq.) is amended—
(1)
in section 5(c)(2)(D)(i), by striking section 8(a)(5) (A) and (B)
and inserting subparagraphs (A) and (B) of section 112(a)(6) of the Make Elections Great Again Act
;
(2)
in section 6(d) (52 U.S.C. 20505(d))—
(A)
by striking section 8(a)(2)
and inserting section 112(a)(2) of the Make Elections Great Again Act
; and
(B)
by striking section 8(d)
and inserting section 113(c) of the Make Elections Great Again Act
; and
(3)
by amending section 9 to read as follows:
9. Federal coordination and regulations
The Election Assistance Commission—
(1)
in consultation with the chief State election official of each State, shall prescribe such regulations as are necessary to carry out paragraphs (2) and (3);
(2)
in consultation with the chief State election official of each State, shall develop a mail voter registration application form for elections for Federal office;
(3)
not later than June 30 of each odd-numbered year, shall submit to the Congress a report assessing the impact of this Act on the administration of elections for Federal office during the preceding 2-year period and including recommendations for improvements in Federal and State procedures, forms, and other matters affected by this Act; and
(4)
shall provide information to the States with respect to the responsibilities of the States under this Act.
Sec. 112. General requirements for administration of voter registration
(a) In general
In the administration of voter registration for elections for Federal office, each State shall—
(1)
ensure that any eligible applicant is registered to vote in an election if the applicant’s voter registration form is authenticated by the chief State election official of the State and—
(A)
in the case of registration with a motor vehicle application under section 5 of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20504), if the applicant submits the valid voter registration form and required documentary proof described in paragraph (5) to the appropriate State motor vehicle authority not later than the lesser of 30 days, or the period provided by State law, before the date of the election in the case of registration with a motor vehicle application under section 5 of such Act;
(B)
in the case of registration by mail under section 6 of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20505), if the valid voter registration form and required documentary proof described in paragraph (5) of the applicant are postmarked not later than the lesser of 30 days, or the period provided by State law, before the date of the election;
(C)
in the case of registration at a voter registration agency, if the valid voter registration form and required documentary proof described in paragraph (5) of the applicant are accepted at the voter registration agency not later than the lesser of 30 days, or the period provided by State law, before the date of the election; and
(D)
in any other case, if the valid voter registration form and required documentary proof described in paragraph (5) of the applicant are received by the appropriate State election official not later than the lesser of 30 days, or the period provided by State law, before the date of the election;
(2)
require the appropriate State election official to send notice to each applicant of the disposition of the application;
(3)
provide that the name of a registrant may not be removed from the official list of eligible voters except pursuant to a reason described in section 113(a)(1);
(4)
take such affirmative steps as are necessary to remove ineligible voters pursuant to the requirements under section 113;
(5)
ensure that the State does not accept and process an application to register to vote in an election for Federal office unless the applicant satisfies the eligibility requirements as described in subsection (c)(1), including with respect to the presentation of documentary proof of United States citizenship;
(6)
inform applicants under sections 5, 6, and 7 of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20504, 20505, and 20506) of—
(A)
voter eligibility requirements; and
(B)
penalties provided by law for submission of a false voter registration application; and
(7)
ensure that the identity of the voter registration agency through which any particular registrant is registered is not disclosed to the public.
(b) Confirmation of voter registration
Any State program or activity to protect the integrity of the electoral process by ensuring the maintenance of an accurate and current voter registration roll for elections for Federal office—
(1)
shall be uniform, nondiscriminatory, and in compliance with the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. 10301 et seq.); and
(2)
shall not result in the removal of the name of any person from the official list of voters registered to vote in an election for Federal office by reason of the person's failure to vote, except as otherwise provided under subsections (a)(2) and (d) of section 113.
(c) Verification of voter registration information
(1) Requiring provision of certain information by applicants
(A) In general
Except as provided in subparagraph (B), notwithstanding any other provision of law, an application for voter registration for an election for Federal office, including an application using the mail voter registration form developed under section 6 of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20505), may not be accepted or processed by a State unless the application includes documentary proof of United States citizenship and—
(i)
the last 4 digits of the applicant’s social security number; and
(ii)
a current and valid driver’s license or other documentary proof of residence in the State.
(B) Special rule for applicants without social security number
If an applicant for voter registration for an election for Federal office has not been issued a social security number or a current and valid driver’s license, the State shall assign the applicant a number which will serve to identify the applicant for voter registration purposes. To the extent that the State has a computerized list in effect pursuant to section 114 and the list assigns unique identifying numbers to registrants, the number assigned under this clause shall be the unique identifying number assigned under the list.
(C) Determination of validity of numbers provided
The State shall determine whether the information provided by an individual is sufficient to meet the requirements of this paragraph, in accordance with State law.
(2) Requirements for State officials
To the extent required to verify the accuracy of the information provided on applications for voter registration and to receive such pertinent information and data as is necessary to ascertain the eligibility of applicants to register to vote and maintain voter eligibility records—
(A)
the chief State election official and the official responsible for the State motor vehicle authority of a State shall enter into an agreement to match information in the database of the statewide voter registration system with information in the database of the motor vehicle authority;
(B)
the official responsible for the State motor vehicle authority shall enter into an agreement with the Commissioner of Social Security under section 205(r)(8) of the Social Security Act;
(C)
the chief State election official of each State shall enter into an agreement with the Attorney General to promptly transmit and receive data regarding felony convictions and incarcerations; and
(D)
the chief State election official of each State shall enter into an agreement with the Secretary for Homeland Security to promptly transmit and receive records and data pertaining to citizenship, naturalization, and applications for citizenship.
(3) Special rule for certain States
In the case of a State which is permitted to use social security numbers, and provides for the use of social security numbers, on applications for voter registration, in accordance with section 7 of the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a note), the provisions of this subsection shall be optional.
(d) Permitted use of last 4 digits of Social Security numbers
The last 4 digits of a social security number described in subsection (c)(1)(A)(i) shall not be considered to be a social security number for purposes of section 7 of the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a note).
(e) Additional processes in certain cases with respect to proof of citizenship
(1) Process for those without documentary proof
(A) In general
Subject to any relevant guidance adopted by the Election Assistance Commission, each State shall establish a process under which an applicant who cannot provide documentary proof of United States citizenship under subsection (c)(1)(A) may, if the applicant signs an attestation under penalty of perjury that the applicant is a citizen of the United States and eligible to vote in elections for Federal office, submit such other evidence to the appropriate State or local official demonstrating that the applicant is a citizen of the United States and such official shall make a determination as to whether the applicant has sufficiently established United States citizenship for purposes of registering to vote in elections for Federal office in the State.
(B) Affidavit requirement
If a State or local official makes a determination under subparagraph (A) that an applicant has sufficiently established United States citizenship for purposes of registering to vote in elections for Federal office in the State, such determination shall be accompanied by an affidavit developed under subparagraph (C) signed by the official swearing or affirming the applicant sufficiently established United States citizenship for purposes of registering to vote.
(C) Development of affidavit by the Election Assistance Commission
The Election Assistance Commission shall develop a uniform affidavit for use by State and local officials under subparagraph (B), which shall—
(i)
include an explanation of the minimum standards required for a State or local official to register an applicant who cannot provide documentary proof of United States citizenship to vote in elections for Federal office in the State; and
(ii)
require the official to explain the basis for registering such applicant to vote in such elections.
(2) Process in case of certain discrepancies in documentation
Subject to any relevant guidance adopted by the Election Assistance Commission, each State shall establish a process under which an applicant can provide such additional documentation to the appropriate election official of the State as may be necessary to establish that the applicant is a citizen of the United States in the event of a discrepancy with respect to the applicant’s documentary proof of United States citizenship.
(3) Availability of information
(A) In general
At the request of a State election official (including a request related to a process established by a State under paragraph (1) or (2)), any head of a Federal department or agency possessing information relevant to determining the eligibility of an individual to vote in elections for Federal office shall, not later than 24 hours after receipt of such request, provide the official with such information as may be necessary to enable the official to verify that an applicant for voter registration in elections for Federal office held in the State or a registrant on the official list of eligible voters in elections for Federal office held in the State is a citizen of the United States, which shall include providing the official with such batched information as may be requested by the official.
(B) Use of SAVE system
The Secretary of Homeland Security may respond to a request received under subparagraph (A) by using the system for the verification of immigration status under the applicable provisions of section 1137 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320b-7), as established pursuant to section 121(c) of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (Public Law 99–603).
(C) Sharing of information
The heads of Federal departments and agencies shall share information with each other with respect to an individual who is the subject of a request received under subparagraph (A) in order to enable them to respond to the request.
(D) Investigation for purposes of removal
The Secretary of Homeland Security shall conduct an investigation to determine whether to initiate removal proceedings under section 239 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1229) if it is determined pursuant to subparagraph (A) or (B) that an alien (as such term is defined in section 101 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101)) is unlawfully registered to vote in elections for Federal office.
(E) Prohibiting fees
The head of a Federal department or agency may not charge a fee for responding to a State’s request under subparagraph (A).
(4) Requirement in cases of name discrepancies in documentation
Notwithstanding the requirements of subsection (c)(1)(A), a State shall accept and process an application to register to vote in an election for Federal office if the applicant—
(A)
presents with the application documentation that would constitute documentary proof of United States citizenship, except that the name on the documentation is not the name of the applicant; and
(B)
provides, through a process established by the State (which shall be subject to any relevant guidance adopted by the Election Assistance Commission)—
(i)
additional documentation as necessary to establish that the name on the documentation is a previous name of the applicant; or
(ii)
an affidavit signed by the applicant attesting that the name on the documentation is a previous name of the applicant.
(f) Conforming amendments to ensure only citizens are registered to vote in elections for Federal office
(1) Registration with application for motor vehicle driver’s license
Section 5 of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20504) is amended—
(A)
in subsection (a)(1), by striking Each State motor vehicle driver's license application
and inserting Subject to the requirements under section 112(c) of the Make Elections Great Again Act, each State motor vehicle driver's license application
;
(B)
in subsection (c)(1), by striking Each State shall include
and inserting Subject to the requirements under section 112(c) of the Make Elections Great Again Act, each State shall include
;
(C)
in subsection (c)(2)(B)—
(i)
in clause (i), by striking and
at the end;
(ii)
in clause (ii), by adding and
at the end; and
(iii)
by adding at the end the following new clause:
(iii)
verify that the applicant is a citizen of the United States;;
(D)
in subsection (c)(2)(C)(i), by striking (including citizenship)
and inserting , including the requirement that the applicant provides documentary proof of United States citizenship
; and
(E)
in subsection (c)(2)(D)(iii), by striking ; and
and inserting , other than as evidence in a criminal proceeding or immigration proceeding brought against an applicant who knowingly attempts to register to vote and knowingly makes a false declaration under penalty of perjury that the applicant meets the eligibility requirements to register to vote in an election for Federal office; and
.
(2) Requiring documentary proof of United States citizenship with national mail voter registration form
Section 6 of such Act (52 U.S.C. 20505) is amended—
(A)
in subsection (a)(1)—
(i)
by striking Each State shall accept and use
and inserting Subject to the requirements under section 112(c) of the Make Elections Great Again Act, each State shall accept and use
; and
(ii)
by striking Federal Election Commission
and inserting Election Assistance Commission
;
(B)
in subsection (b), by adding at the end the following: The chief State election official of a State shall take such steps as may be necessary to ensure that residents of the State are aware of the requirement to provide documentary proof of United States citizenship to register to vote in elections for Federal office in the State.
; and
(C)
in subsection (c)(1)—
(i)
in subparagraph (A), by striking and
at the end;
(ii)
in subparagraph (B) by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and
; and
(iii)
by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
(C)
the person did not provide documentary proof of United States citizenship when registering to vote.
(3) Requirements for voter registration agencies
Section 7 of such Act (52 U.S.C. 20506) is amended—
(A)
in subsection (a)—
(i)
in paragraph (4)(A), by adding at the end the following new clause:
(iv)
Receipt of documentary proof of United States citizenship of each applicant to register to vote in elections for Federal office in the State.; and
(ii)
in paragraph (6)—
(I)
in subparagraph (A)(i)(I), by striking (including citizenship)
and inserting , including the requirement that the applicant provides documentary proof of United States citizenship
; and
(II)
by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (C); and
(III)
by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following new subparagraph:
(B)
ask the applicant the question,
Are you a citizen of the United States?and if the applicant answers in the affirmative require documentary proof of United States citizenship prior to providing the form under subparagraph (C);; and
(B)
in subsection (c)(1), by inserting who are citizens of the United States
after for persons
.
(4) Criminal penalties
Section 12(2) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 20511(2)) is amended—
(A)
by striking or
at the end of subparagraph (A);
(B)
by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (D); and
(C)
by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following new subparagraphs:
(B)
in the case of an officer or employee of the executive branch, providing material assistance to a noncitizen in attempting to register to vote or vote in an election for Federal office;
(C)
registering an applicant to vote in an election for Federal office who fails to present documentary proof of United States citizenship; or
(5) Applicability of requirements to certain States
(A) In general
Subsection (b) of section 4 of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20503) is amended by striking This Act does not apply to a State
and inserting Except with respect to the requirements under section 112(c) and section 113(j) of the Make Elections Great Again Act in the case of a State described in paragraph (2), this Act does not apply to a State
.
(B) Permitting States to adopt requirements after enactment
Section 4 of such Act (52 U.S.C. 20503) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
(c) Permitting States to adopt certain requirements after enactment
Section 112(c) and section 113(j) of the Make Elections Great Again Act shall not apply to a State described in subsection (b)(2) if the State, by law or regulation, adopts requirements which are identical to the requirements under such subsections not later than 60 days prior to the date of the first election for Federal office which is held in the State after the date of the enactment of this subsection.
Sec. 113. Requirements with respect to removal of ineligible voters from official voter list
(a) Affirmative steps to maintain accurate voter registration lists
(1) In general
Each State shall take such affirmative steps as are necessary on an ongoing basis, but in no case less frequently than once every 30 days, to verify the eligibility of registrants on the official list of eligible voters in elections for Federal office in the State through the use of all verification resources available to the State, including through the use of information supplied by the Department of Homeland Security through the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE
) system, and, pursuant to the requirement under section 112(a)(4), to remove from the official list of eligible voters in elections for Federal office in the State registrants who are determined to be ineligible voters by reason of—
(A)
the request of the registrant;
(B)
criminal conviction or mental incapacity pursuant to State law;
(C)
the death of the registrant;
(D)
a change in the residence of the registrant, in accordance with paragraph (2) and subsection (c);
(E)
the registrant’s status as a noncitizen, including on the basis of the immigration adjudication or status for naturalized citizenship of the registrant as provided by the Director of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services or any other information with respect to citizenship status supplied by the Department of Homeland Security through the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE
) system that demonstrates a registrant is not a citizen of the United States; or
(F)
duplicate registrations of a registrant otherwise eligible to vote.
(2) Use of change-of-address information from Postal Service
Any process of a State described under paragraph (1) shall include the State establishing a process under which change-of-address information supplied by the Postal Service through its licensees is used to identify registrants whose addresses may have changed and if it appears from such information provided that a registrant has moved to a different residence address—
(A)
in the same registrar's jurisdiction in which the registrant is currently registered, the registrar changes the registration records to show the new address and sends the registrant a notice of the change by forwardable mail and a postage prepaid pre-addressed return form by which the registrant may verify or correct the address information; or
(B)
not in the same registrar's jurisdiction, the registrar uses the notice procedure described in subsection (c)(2) to confirm the change of address.
(b) Deadline prior to general elections for Federal office
A State shall complete any process under subsection (a) to remove the names of voters determined to be ineligible from the official list of eligible voters in Federal elections held in the State not later than 15 days prior to the date established under section 25 of the Revised Statutes of the United States (2 U.S.C. 7) for each general election for Federal office, except that this subsection shall not be construed to preclude—
(1)
the removal of names from official lists of voters at any time on a basis described in paragraph (1)(A), (1)(B), or (1)(E) of subsection (a); or
(2)
the correction of registration records pursuant to this subtitle.
(c) Procedure for removal of names from voter rolls by reason of residence change
(1) In general
A State shall remove the name of a registrant from the official list of eligible voters in elections for Federal office when the State becomes aware that the registrant has changed residence through one of the following actions:
(A)
The registrant confirms in person or in writing that the registrant has changed residence to a place outside the registrar’s jurisdiction in which the registrant is registered.
(B)
An election official determines, from review of postal service records or other available databases or sources of address verification relied upon by the registrar for maintaining an accurate list of eligible voters, that the registrant no longer resides at the address shown in the registration, has failed to respond to a notice described in paragraph (2), or that such notice has been returned as undeliverable.
(2) Notice described
A notice is described in this paragraph if it is a postage prepaid and pre-addressed return card, sent by nonforwardable mail, on which the registrant may state his or her current address, together with a notice to the following effect:
(A)
If the registrant did not change his or her residence, or changed residence but remained in the registrar's jurisdiction, the registrant should return the card not later than the time provided for mail registration under section section 112(a)(1)(B).
(B)
If the registrant has changed residence to a place outside the registrar's jurisdiction in which the registrant is registered, information concerning how the registrant can continue to be eligible to vote.
(3) Removal and notice of removal
If the pre-addressed return card described in paragraph (2) is not returned, or if the notice described in such paragraph is returned as undeliverable—
(A)
the registrant shall be removed from the official list of eligible voters as described in paragraph (1); and
(B)
the registrant shall be notified of such removal by notice sent by forwardable mail.
(4) Correction of official list of eligible voters
A voting registrar shall correct an official list of eligible voters in elections for Federal office in accordance with change of residence information obtained in conformance with this subsection.
(d) Procedure for voting following failure to return card
(1) In general
A registrant who has moved from an address in the area covered by a polling place to an address in the same area shall, notwithstanding failure to notify the registrar of the change of address prior to the date of an election, be permitted to vote at that polling place if the registrant provides documentary proof of the change of address to an election official at that polling place.
(2) Procedures for registrants who have moved in certain cases
(A) In general
A registrant who has moved from an address in the area covered by one polling place to an address in an area covered by a second polling place within the same registrar's jurisdiction and the same congressional district and who has failed to notify the registrar of the change of address prior to the date of an election, at the option of the registrant—
(i)
shall be permitted to correct the voting records and vote at the registrant's former polling place, if the registrant provides documentary proof of the new address to an election official at that polling place;
(ii)
shall be permitted to correct the voting records and vote at a central location within the same registrar's jurisdiction designated by the registrar where a list of eligible voters is maintained, upon written affirmation by the registrant of the new address on a standard form provided by the registrar at the central location; or
(iii)
shall be permitted to correct the voting records for purposes of voting in future elections at the appropriate polling place for the current address and, if permitted by State law, shall be permitted to vote in the present election, upon confirmation by the registrant of the new address by such means as are required by law.
(B) Documentary proof of new address
If State law permits the registrant to vote in the current election upon documentary proof by the registrant of the new address at a polling place described in subparagraph (A)(i) or subparagraph (A)(iii), voting at the other locations described in subparagraph (A) need not be provided as options.
(C) Documentary proof of no change in residence
If the registration records indicate that a registrant has moved from an address in the area covered by a polling place, the registrant shall, upon documentary proof by the registrant before an election official at that polling place that the registrant continues to reside at the address previously made known to the registrar, be permitted to vote at that polling place.
(e) Change of voting address within a jurisdiction
In the case of a change of address, for voting purposes, of a registrant to another address within the same registrar's jurisdiction, the registrar shall correct the voting registration list accordingly, and the registrant's name may not be removed from the official list of eligible voters by reason of such a change of address except as provided in subsection (c).
(f) Special requirements to ensure only citizens are registered to vote
Any process of a State described under subsection (a)(1) with respect to verifying that an individual is a United States citizen shall include using information supplied by one or more of the following sources:
(1)
The Department of Homeland Security through the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE
) or otherwise.
(2)
The Social Security Administration through the Social Security Number Verification Service, or otherwise.
(3)
State agencies that supply State identification cards or driver’s licenses where the agency confirms the United States citizenship status of applicants.
(4)
Other sources, including databases, which provide confirmation of United States citizenship status.
(g) Removal of noncitizens from registration rolls
A State shall remove an individual who is not a citizen of the United States from the official list of eligible voters for elections for Federal office held in the State at any time upon receipt of documentation or verified information that a registrant is not a United States citizen.
(h) Public list of ineligible voters
If a voter is deemed ineligible under this section, the chief State election official of the State concerned shall put the voter’s name on a publicly available list and send a notice described in subsection (c)(2) and provide the voter with an opportunity to cure any defect with respect to the individual’s eligibility to vote in elections for Federal office in the State.
(i) Notice requirement with respect to conviction in Federal court
(1) In general
On the conviction of a person of a felony in a district court of the United States, the United States attorney shall immediately give written notice of the conviction to the chief State election official of the State of the person's residence.
(2) Notice requirements
A notice given pursuant to paragraph (1) shall include—
(A)
the name of the offender;
(B)
the offender's age and residence address;
(C)
the date of entry of the judgment;
(D)
a description of the offenses of which the offender was convicted; and
(E)
the sentence imposed by the court.
(3) Information from United States attorney
On request of the chief State election official of a State or other State official with responsibility for determining the effect that a conviction may have on an offender's qualification to vote, the United States attorney shall provide such additional information as the United States attorney may have concerning the offender and the offense of which the offender was convicted.
(4) Notice of overturned conviction
If a conviction of which notice was given pursuant to paragraph (1) is overturned, the United States attorney shall give the official to whom the notice was given written notice of the vacation of the judgment.
(5) Notification by chief State election official
The chief State election official of a State shall notify the voter registration officials of the local jurisdiction in which an offender resides of the information received under this subsection.
(j) Public disclosure of voter registration activities
(1) In general
Each State shall maintain for at least 2 years and shall make available for public inspection in electronic form at a reasonable cost all records concerning the implementation of programs and activities conducted for the purpose of ensuring the accuracy and currency of official lists of eligible voters, except to the extent that such records relate to a declination to register to vote or to the identity of a voter registration agency through which any particular voter is registered.
(2) Content of records
The records maintained pursuant to paragraph (1) shall include lists of the names and addresses of all persons to whom notices described in subsection (c)(2) are sent, and information concerning whether or not each such person has responded to the notice as of the date that inspection of the records is made.
Sec. 114. Computerized statewide voter registration list requirements
(a) In general
(1) Implementation
Each State, acting through the chief State election official, shall implement, in a uniform and nondiscriminatory manner, a single, uniform, official, centralized, interactive computerized statewide voter registration list defined, maintained, and administered at the State level that contains the name and registration information of every legally registered voter in the State and assigns a unique identifier to each legally registered voter in the State (in this section referred to as the computerized list
), and includes the following:
(A)
The computerized list shall serve as the single system for storing and managing the official list of registered voters throughout the State.
(B)
The computerized list contains the name and registration information of every legally registered voter in the State.
(C)
Under the computerized list, a unique identifier is assigned to each legally registered voter in the State.
(D)
The computerized list shall be coordinated with other agency databases within the State.
(E)
Any election official in the State, including any local election official, may obtain immediate electronic access to the information contained in the computerized list.
(F)
All voter registration information obtained by any local election official in the State shall be electronically entered into the computerized list on an expedited basis at the time the information is provided to the local official.
(G)
The chief State election official shall provide such support as may be required so that local election officials are able to enter information as described in subparagraph (F).
(H)
The computerized list shall serve as the official voter registration list for the conduct of all elections for Federal office in the State.
(2) Computerized list maintenance
(A) In general
The appropriate State or local election official shall perform list maintenance with respect to the computerized list on a regular basis as follows:
(i)
If an individual is to be removed from the computerized list, such individual shall be removed in accordance with the provisions of section 112(a)(3) and section 113(a).
(ii)
For purposes of removing names of ineligible voters from the official list of eligible voters—
(I)
under section 113(a)(1)(B), the State shall coordinate the computerized list with State agency records on felony status; and
(II)
by reason of the death of the registrant under section 113(a)(1)(C), the State shall coordinate the computerized list with State agency records on death.
(B) Conduct
The list maintenance performed under subparagraph (A) shall be conducted in a manner that ensures that—
(i)
the name of each registered voter appears in the computerized list;
(ii)
only voters who are not registered or who are not eligible to vote are removed from the computerized list; and
(iii)
duplicate names are eliminated from the computerized list.
(3) Technological security of computerized list
The appropriate State or local official shall provide adequate technological security measures to prevent the unauthorized access to the computerized list established under this section.
(4) Minimum standard for accuracy of State voter registration records
The State election system shall include provisions to ensure that voter registration records in the State are accurate and are updated regularly, including the following:
(A)
A system of file maintenance that makes an affirmative effort to remove registrants who are ineligible to vote from the official list of eligible voters. Under such system, consistent with this subtitle, registrants who have not responded to a notice and who have not voted in 2 consecutive general elections for Federal office shall be removed from the official list of eligible voters, except that no registrant may be removed solely by reason of a failure to vote.
(B)
Safeguards to ensure that eligible voters are not removed in error from the official list of eligible voters.
(b) Effective date
(1) In general
Except as provided in paragraph (2), each State and jurisdiction shall be required to comply with the requirements of subsection (a) on and after January 1, 2027.
(2) Waiver
If a State or jurisdiction certifies to the Commission not later than January 1, 2027, that the State or jurisdiction will not meet the deadline described in paragraph (1) for good cause and includes in the certification the reasons for the failure to meet such deadline, paragraph (1) shall apply to the State or jurisdiction as if the reference in such paragraph to January 1, 2027
were a reference to January 1, 2028
.
Sec. 115. Requirements for applicants who register by mail
(a) Contents of mail voter registration form
(1) In general
A mail voter registration form developed under section 6 of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20505)—
(A)
may require only such identifying information (including the signature of the applicant) and other information (including data relating to previous registration by the applicant), as is necessary to enable the appropriate State election official to assess the eligibility of the applicant and to administer voter registration and other parts of the election process;
(B)
shall include a statement that—
(i)
specifies each eligibility requirement (including citizenship and an explanation of what is required to present documentary proof of United States citizenship);
(ii)
contains an attestation that the applicant meets each such requirement; and
(iii)
requires the signature of the applicant, under penalty of perjury;
(C)
may not include any requirement for notarization or other formal authentication;
(D)
shall include a section, for use only by a State or local election official, to record the type of document the applicant presented as documentary proof of United States citizenship, including the date of issuance, the date of expiration (if any), the office which issued the document, and any unique identification number associated with the document; and
(E)
shall include, in print that is identical to that used in the attestation portion of the application—
(i)
the information required in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of section 112(a)(6);
(ii)
a statement that, if an applicant declines to register to vote, the fact that the applicant has declined to register will remain confidential and will be used only for voter registration purposes;
(iii)
a statement that if an applicant does register to vote, the office at which the applicant submits a voter registration application will remain confidential and will be used only for voter registration purposes, other than as evidence in a criminal proceeding or immigration proceeding brought against an applicant who attempts to register to vote and makes a false declaration under penalty of perjury that the applicant meets the eligibility requirements to register to vote in an election for Federal office;
(iv)
the question Are you a citizen of the United States of America?
and boxes for the applicant to check to indicate whether the applicant is or is not a citizen of the United States;
(v)
the question Will you be 18 years of age on or before election day?
and boxes for the applicant to check to indicate whether or not the applicant will be 18 years of age or older on election day;
(vi)
the statement If you checked
;no
in response to either of these questions, do not complete this form.
(vii)
the question If you checked
and boxes for the applicant to check to indicate whether the applicant does or does not have documentary proof for any affirmative response to either question; andyes
in response to either of those questions, do you have documentary proof of such response?
(viii)
a statement informing the individual that if the form is submitted by mail and the individual is registering for the first time, the appropriate information required under this section must be submitted with the mail voter registration form in order to avoid the additional identification requirements upon voting for the first time.
(2) Incomplete forms
If an applicant for voter registration fails to answer the question included on the mail voter registration form pursuant to paragraph (1)(E)(iv), the registrar shall notify the applicant of the failure and provide the applicant with an opportunity to complete the form in a timely manner to allow for the completion of the registration form prior to the next election for Federal office (subject to State law).
(b) Ensuring proof of United States citizenship
(1) Presenting proof of United States citizenship to election official
An applicant who submits the mail voter registration application form prescribed by the Election Assistance Commission pursuant to section 9(a)(2) of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20508) shall not be registered to vote in an election for Federal office unless—
(A)
the applicant provides with such application documentary proof of United States citizenship pursuant to the requirements under section 112(c)(1) or presents such documentary proof in person to the office of the appropriate election official not later than the deadline provided by State law for the receipt of a completed voter registration application for the election; or
(B)
in the case of a State which permits an individual to register to vote in an election for Federal office at a polling place on the day of the election and on any day when voting, including early voting, is permitted for the election, the applicant presents documentary proof of United States citizenship to the appropriate election official at the polling place not later than the date of the election.
(2) Notification of requirement
Upon receiving an otherwise completed mail voter registration application form prescribed by the Election Assistance Commission pursuant to section 9(a)(2) of such Act that does not include documentary proof of United States citizenship, the appropriate election official shall transmit a notice to the applicant of the requirement to present documentary proof of United States citizenship under this subsection, and shall include in the notice instructions to enable the applicant to meet the requirement.
(3) Accessibility
Each State shall, in consultation with the Election Assistance Commission, ensure that reasonable accommodations are made to allow an individual with a disability who submits the mail voter registration application form prescribed by the Election Assistance Commission pursuant to section 9(a)(2) of such Act to present documentary proof of United States citizenship to the appropriate election official.
(c) Rule of construction
Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the chief State election official of a State from requiring documentary proof for purposes of confirming an applicant’s eligibility to vote in elections for Federal office in the State.
(d) Effective date
(1) In general
Each State and jurisdiction shall be required to comply with the requirements of this section on and after January 1, 2027, and shall be prepared to receive registration materials submitted by individuals described in paragraph (2) on and after the date described in such subparagraph.
(2) Applicability with respect to individuals
The provisions of this section shall apply to any individual who registers to vote on or after January 1, 2027.
Sec. 116. Civil enforcement and private right of action
(a) Attorney General
The Attorney General may bring a civil action against any State or jurisdiction in an appropriate United States District Court for such declaratory and injunctive relief (including a temporary restraining order, a permanent or temporary injunction, or other order) as may be necessary to carry out the uniform and nondiscriminatory election technology and administration requirements under this subtitle.
(b) Private Right of Action
(1) Notice of violation
A person who is aggrieved by a violation of this subtitle, including the act of an election official who registers an applicant to vote in an election for Federal office who fails to present documentary proof of United States citizenship, may provide written notice of the violation to the chief State election official of the State involved.
(2) Civil action
If the violation is not corrected within 90 days after receipt of a notice under paragraph (1), or within 20 days after receipt of the notice if the violation occurred within 120 days before the date of an election for Federal office, the aggrieved person may bring a civil action in an appropriate district court for declaratory or injunctive relief with respect to the violation.
(3) Waiver of notice requirement in certain cases
If the violation occurred within 30 days before the date of an election for Federal office, the aggrieved person need not provide notice to the chief election official of the State under paragraph (1) before bringing a civil action under paragraph (2).
(4) Attorney's fees
In a civil action under this subsection, the court may allow the prevailing party reasonable attorney fees, including litigation expenses, and costs.
Sec. 117. Election Assistance Commission guidance
Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Election Assistance Commission shall adopt and transmit to the chief State election official of each State guidance with respect to the implementation of the requirements under the this subtitle.
Sec. 118. Inapplicability of Paperwork Reduction Act
Subchapter I of chapter 35 of title 44 (commonly referred to as the Paperwork Reduction Act
) shall not apply with respect to the development or modification of voter registration materials under the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20501 et seq.), as amended by this subtitle, including the development or modification of any voter registration application forms.
Sec. 119. Duty of Secretary of Homeland Security to notify election officials of naturalization
Upon receiving information that an individual has become a naturalized citizen of the United States, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall promptly provide notice of such information to the appropriate chief election official of the State in which such individual is domiciled.
Sec. 120. Rule of construction regarding provisional ballots
Nothing in this subtitle or in any amendment made by this subtitle may be construed to supercede, restrict, or otherwise affect the ability of an individual to cast a provisional ballot in an election for Federal office or to have the ballot counted in the election if the individual is verified as a citizen of the United States.
Sec. 121. Rule of construction regarding effect on State exemptions from other Federal laws
Nothing in this subtitle or in any amendment made by this subtitle may be construed to affect the exemption of a State from any requirement of any Federal law other than the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20501 et seq.).
Sec. 122. Requiring applicants for motor vehicle driver’s licenses in new state to indicate whether state serves as residence for voter registration purposes
(a) Requirements for applicants for licenses
Section 5(d) of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (42 U.S.C. 1973gg–3(d)) is amended—
(1)
by striking Any change
and inserting (1) Any change
; and
(2)
by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
(2)
(A)
A State motor vehicle authority shall require each individual applying for a motor vehicle driver’s license in the State—
(i)
to indicate whether the individual resides in another State or resided in another State prior to applying for the license, and, if so, to identify the State involved; and
(ii)
to indicate whether the individual intends for the State to serve as the individual’s residence for purposes of registering to vote in elections for Federal office.
(B)
If pursuant to subparagraph (A)(ii) an individual indicates to the State motor vehicle authority that the individual intends for the State to serve as the individual’s residence for purposes of registering to vote in elections for Federal office, the authority shall notify the motor vehicle authority of the State identified by the individual pursuant to subparagraph (A)(i), who shall notify the chief State election official of such State that the individual no longer intends for that State to serve as the individual’s residence for purposes of registering to vote in elections for Federal office.
(b) Effective date
The amendments made by subsection (a) shall take effect with respect to elections occurring in 2027 or any succeeding year.
Sec. 123. Definitions
In this subtitle, the following definitions apply:
(1) Chief State election official
The term chief State election official with respect to a State means the individual designated by the State under section 10 of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20509) to be responsible for coordination of the State’s responsibilities under such Act.
(2) Documentary proof of United States citizenship
The term documentary proof of United States citizenship means, with respect to an applicant for voter registration, any of the following:
(A)
A form of identification issued consistent with the requirements of the REAL ID Act of 2005 that indicates the applicant is a citizen of the United States.
(B)
A valid United States passport.
(C)
The applicant's official United States military identification card, together with a United States military record of service showing that the applicant's place of birth was in the United States.
(D)
A valid government-issued photo identification card issued by a Federal, State, or Tribal government showing that the applicant’s place of birth was in the United States.
(E)
A valid government-issued photo identification card issued by a Federal, State, or Tribal government other than an identification described in paragraphs (1) through (4), but only if presented together with one or more of the following:
(i)
A certified birth certificate issued by a State, a unit of local government in a State, or a Tribal government which—
(I)
was issued by the State, unit of local government, or Tribal government in which the applicant was born;
(II)
was filed with the office responsible for keeping vital records in the State;
(III)
includes the full name, date of birth, and place of birth of the applicant;
(IV)
lists the full names of one or both of the parents of the applicant;
(V)
has the signature of an individual who is authorized to sign birth certificates on behalf of the State, unit of local government, or Tribal government in which the applicant was born;
(VI)
includes the date that the certificate was filed with the office responsible for keeping vital records in the State; and
(VII)
has the seal of the State, unit of local government, or Tribal government that issued the birth certificate.
(ii)
An extract from a United States hospital Record of Birth created at the time of the applicant's birth which indicates that the applicant’s place of birth was in the United States.
(iii)
A final adoption decree showing the applicant’s name and that the applicant’s place of birth was in the United States.
(iv)
A Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a citizen of the United States or a certification of the applicant’s Report of Birth of a United States citizen issued by the Secretary of State.
(v)
A Naturalization Certificate or Certificate of Citizenship issued by the Secretary of Homeland Security or any other document or method of proof of United States citizenship issued by the Federal government pursuant to the Immigration and Nationality Act.
(vi)
An American Indian Card issued by the Department of Homeland Security with the classification ‘KIC’.
(3) Election
The term election has the meaning stated in section 301(1) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 431(1)).
(4) Federal office
The term Federal office has the meaning stated in section 301(3) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 431(3)).
(5) Registrar’s jurisdiction
The term registrar’s jurisdiction means—
(A)
an incorporated city, town, borough, or other form of municipality;
(B)
if voter registration is maintained by a county, parish, or other unit of government that governs a larger geographic area than a municipality, the geographic area governed by that unit of government; or
(C)
if voter registration is maintained on a consolidated basis for more than one municipality or other unit of government by an office that performs all of the functions of a voting registrar, the geographic area of the consolidated municipalities or other geographic units.
(6) State
The term State means each of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
(7) Voter registration agency
The term voter registration agency means an office designated under section 7(a)(1) of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20506(a)(1)) to perform voter registration activities.
Subtitle C Information Sharing Agreements With Attorney General
Sec. 131. Information sharing agreements with Attorney General
(a) Requiring States to enter into agreements
Title IX of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21141 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
907. Information sharing agreements with Attorney General
(a) Requirement
Each State and the Attorney General shall have in effect an agreement under which the Attorney General and the State shall share information regarding the evidence of potential fraud in the administration of elections for Federal office in the State, including evidence of voting or attempted voting in elections for Federal office by individuals who are not eligible to vote in such elections.
(b) Ineligibility of funds for States without agreements
No Federal funds may be used to administer an election for Federal office in a State in a fiscal year unless the Attorney General certifies to the Commission that the State and the Attorney General have in effect an agreement under subsection (a) with respect to the fiscal year.
(b) Clerical amendment
The table of contents of such Act is amended by adding at the end of the items relating to title IX the following:
(c) Effective date
The amendment made by this section shall apply with respect to fiscal year 2026 and each succeeding fiscal year.
Subtitle D Election Security
Sec. 141. Indication of citizenship on driver’s licenses and identification cards
(a) In general
Section 202(b) of the Real ID Act of 2005 (49 U.S.C. 30301 note) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
(10)
If the person is a citizen of the United States, a clear and easily distinguishable indication of that citizenship.
(b) Applicability
The amendment made by this section shall apply with respect to any driver’s license or identification card issued by a State on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.
Sec. 142. Requirement to notify State election officials of individuals recused from jury service on grounds of noncitizenship
(a) In general
If a United States district court recuses an individual from serving on a jury on the grounds that the individual is not a citizen of the United States, the court shall transmit a notice of the individual’s recusal to—
(1)
the chief State election official of the State in which the individual resides; and
(2)
the Director of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.
(b) Verification and removal from voter list
Upon receipt of notice of an individual’s recusal transmitted pursuant to subsection (a), a chief State election official, in consultation with the Director of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, shall—
(1)
determine if such individual is a citizen of the United States; and
(2)
in the case that such individual is not a citizen of the United States, remove such individual from the official list of eligible voters.
Sec. 143. Reports to Congress on foreign and domestic threats to elections
(a) In general
Not earlier than 60 days before the date established under section 25 of the Revised Statutes of the United States (2 U.S.C. 7) for each general election for Federal office and not later than 30 days before such date, the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Director of National Intelligence, in coordination with the heads of the appropriate Federal entities, shall submit a joint report to the appropriate congressional committees and the chief State election official of each State on foreign and domestic threats to elections in the United States, including physical and cybersecurity threats.
(b) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Appropriate congressional committees
The term appropriate congressional committees means—
(A)
the Committee on House Administration, the Committee on Homeland Security, the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives; and
(B)
the Committee on Rules and Administration, the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, the Select Committee on Intelligence, and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate.
(2) Appropriate Federal entities
The term appropriate Federal entities means—
(A)
the Department of Commerce, including the National Institute of Standards and Technology;
(B)
the Department of Defense;
(C)
the Department of Homeland Security, including the component of the Department that reports to the Under Secretary responsible for overseeing critical infrastructure protection, cybersecurity, and other related programs of the Department;
(D)
the Department of Justice, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and
(E)
the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the National Security Agency, and such other elements of the intelligence community (as defined in section 3 of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003)) as the Director of National Intelligence determines are appropriate.
Sec. 144. Preservation of election records
Section 301 of the Civil Rights Act of 1960 (52 U.S.C. 20701) is amended by inserting (including audit records, ballot cast images, canvassing reports, cast vote records, certification records, chain of custody records, incident reports, post-election records, reconciliation records, return envelopes, tabulation reports, technology records, and vote by mail records)
after in such election
.
Sec. 145. Definitions
In this subtitle:
(1) Chief State election official
The term chief State election official means, with respect to a State, the individual designated by the State under section 10 of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20509) to be responsible for coordination of the State’s responsibilities under such Act.
(2) State
The term State has the meaning given such term in section 901 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21141).
Subtitle E Prohibition on Federal Agency Political Activities
Sec. 151. Prohibiting political activities in Federal agencies
(a) Prohibitions
(1) In general
Except as specifically authorized by law, a Federal agency may not register an individual to vote in an election for Federal office.
(2) Agreements with nongovernmental organizations
None of the funds made available for the salaries and expenses of a Federal agency may be used to solicit or enter into an agreement with a nongovernmental organization to conduct voter registration or voter mobilization activities, including registering voters or providing any person with voter registration materials, absentee or vote-by-mail ballot applications, voting instructions, or candidate-related information, on the property or website of the Federal agency.
(3) Conforming amendments relating to voter registration agencies
Section 7 of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20506) is amended—
(A)
in subsection (a)(3)(B)(ii), by striking Federal and
; and
(B)
by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:
(b) Private sector cooperation
All nongovernmental entities are encouraged, to the greatest extent practicable, to cooperate with the States in carrying out subsection (a).
(b) Rule of construction
Nothing in this section or the amendments made by this section may be construed to prohibit a Federal agency from providing information to a State or local election official relating to the eligibility of any individual to register to vote in elections for Federal office, including information on an individual’s citizenship status.
(c) Exception
The prohibitions under this section shall not apply to voter registration activities with respect to absent uniformed services voters (as such term is defined in section 107(1) of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (52 U.S.C. 20310(1))).
(d) Definition
In this section, the term Federal agency has the meaning given the term agency in section 3502(1) of title 44, United States Code.
Title II Election Administration
Subtitle A Improving Administration of Elections
Sec. 201. Use of HAVA funds for post-election audits of results
(a) Authorizing use of funds
Section 251(b) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21001(b)) is amended—
(1)
in paragraph (1), by striking paragraphs (2) and (3)
and inserting paragraphs (2), (3), and (4)
; and
(2)
by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
(4) Use of funds for conducting post-election audits of results
A State may use a requirements payment to conduct a post-election audit of the results of an election for Federal office if the State completes and releases the results of the audit prior to the applicable deadline for filing a challenge to the results of the election.
(b) Effective date
The amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to payments made for fiscal year 2026 or any succeeding fiscal year.
Subtitle B Treatment of Ballots
Sec. 211. Requiring paper ballots
(a) In general
Section 301(a)(2) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21081(a)(2)) is amended to read as follows:
(2) Paper ballot requirement
(A) Voter-verifiable paper ballots
(i)
The voting system shall require the use of a paper ballot manually marked by the voter or a paper ballot marked through the use of a nontabulating ballot marking device or system, so long as the voter shall have the option at every in-person voting location to manually mark a printed ballot that includes all relevant contests and candidates.
(ii)
The paper ballot shall be marked by the voter and presented to the voter for verification before the voter’s ballot is preserved in accordance with subparagraph (B), and shall be counted manually or by counting device or read by a ballot tabulation device.
(iii)
The voting system shall provide the voter with an opportunity to correct any error on the paper ballot before the permanent voter-verifiable paper ballot is preserved in accordance with subparagraph (B).
(iv)
The voting system shall not preserve the voter-verifiable paper ballots in any manner that makes it possible, at any time after the ballot has been cast, to associate a voter with the record of the voter’s vote selections.
(v)
The voting system shall prevent, through mechanical means or through independently verified protections, the modification or addition of vote selections on a printed or marked ballot at any time after the voter has been provided an opportunity to correct errors on the ballot pursuant to clause (ii).
(B) Preservation as official record
The paper ballot required under subparagraph (A) shall constitute the official ballot and shall be preserved and used as the official ballot for purposes of any recount or audit conducted with respect to any election for Federal office in which the voting system is used.
(C) Manual audit suitability
Each paper ballot used pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall be suitable for a manual audit.
(D) Effective date
The requirements of this paragraph shall take effect on the date that is 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(b) Conforming amendment clarifying applicability of alternative language accessibility
Section 301(a)(4) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 21081(a)(4)) is amended by inserting (including the paper ballots required under paragraph (2))
after voting system
.
Sec. 212. Limitation on possession of mail-in ballots
(a) Limitation
(1) In general
It shall be unlawful for an individual to distribute, order, request, deliver, or possess—
(A)
any ballot not associated with—
(i)
such individual;
(ii)
an immediate family member of such individual; or
(iii)
another individual for whom such individual is a caregiver; and
(B)
more than 4 mail-in ballots for an election for Federal office at a time.
(2) Incidental possession excepted
The limitation under paragraph (1) shall not apply to the incidental possession of mail-in ballots by a postal worker or election official acting within the scope of the official capacity of such postal worker or election official.
(3) Penalty
An individual who knowingly receives, accepts, or agrees to receive or accept anything of value, personally or for any other person, in return for distributing, ordering, requesting, delivering, or possessing a mail-in ballot in violation of paragraph (1) shall be fined in an amount not exceeding $25,000, or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.
(b) Form required for ballot return
(1) In general
An individual may not return a mail-in ballot not associated with such individual, unless such individual—
(A)
presents to an election official acting within the scope of the official capacity of such official a government-issued photo identification of such individual; and
(B)
provides to such election official, together with such ballot, a completed affidavit described in paragraph (2) that—
(i)
is signed by the voter with whom the ballot is associated, or if such voter cannot write because of a physical handicap or illiteracy, bears the mark of such voter and the signature of a witness to the making of the mark; and
(ii)
is signed by such individual, or if such individual cannot write because of a physical handicap or illiteracy, bears the mark of such individual and the signature of a witness to the making of the mark.
(2) Affidavit described
The affidavit described in this section is a form that—
(A)
is prescribed by the Election Assistance Commission; and
(B)
includes a space for an election official to record the form of identification presented pursuant to paragraph (1)(A).
(3) Preservation of records
Each authorization form provided pursuant to paragraph (1)(B) must be preserved for at least 2 years as part of the record of the election, and the county board of voter registration and elections must note the time and date of receipt of the authorization form, the name of the individual providing the authorization form, the relationship of the individual to the voter, and the form of identification presented pursuant to paragraph (1)(A).
(c) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Caregiver
The term caregiver means an individual who provides frequent and regular medical or health care assistance to a person in a residence, nursing care institution, hospice facility, assisted living center, assisted living facility, assisted living home, or residential care institution.
(2) Immediate family member
The term immediate family member means the spouse, parent, child, grandparent, grandchild, or sibling of the individual or of the spouse of the individual.
Sec. 213. Prohibiting States from using ranked choice voting in general elections for Federal office
(a) Requirement
Subtitle A of title III of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21081 et seq.) is amended—
(1)
by redesignating sections 305 and 306 as sections 306 and 307, respectively; and
(2)
by inserting after section 304 the following new section:
305. Prohibiting States from using certain voting systems with respect to a general election for Federal office
A State may not carry out a general election for Federal office in the State using a voting system that—
(1)
permits a voter to vote for more than one candidate for the same office;
(2)
permits a voter to rank multiple candidates for the same office; or
(3)
reallocates the vote of a voter from one candidate to another candidate for the same office.
(b) Clerical amendment
The table of contents of such Act is amended—
(1)
by redesignating the items relating to sections 305 and 306 as relating to sections 306 and 307, respectively; and
(2)
by inserting after the item relating to section 304 the following new item:
(c) Effective date
The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to Federal elections held on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.
Sec. 214. Abolishing universal vote by mail
(a) In general
A State may only provide a mail-in ballot for an election for Federal office to a voter upon request of the voter submitted electronically or by postal mail using a standardized form described in subsection (b).
(b) Form of request
A standardized form described in this subsection—
(1)
has been approved for such requests by the appropriate chief State election official; and
(2)
enables the appropriate election official to confirm—
(A)
the identity of the individual submitting the request;
(B)
that the individual is validly registered and eligible to vote in the jurisdiction for which the request is submitted; and
(C)
that the individual resides at the physical address for which the individual is registered to vote (if different than the mailing address where the ballot is requested to be sent).
(c) Deadline for submission
Such request must be submitted and received by the appropriate State election official not later than 30 days before the date of each election for Federal office.
(d) Exception
The requirements of subsection (a) shall not apply with respect to ballots provided to an overseas voter or absent uniformed services voter (as such terms are defined in section 107 of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (52 U.S.C. 20310)).
Sec. 215. Barcode tracking for mail-in ballots
(a) In general
Title 39, United States Code, is amended by inserting after chapter 30 the following new chapter:
31 Election Mail
3101. Trackable election mail
(a) In general
No entity of government shall furnish a ballot envelope for the purpose of being carried or delivered by mail unless such envelope—
(1)
contains a Postal Service barcode (or successive service or marking) that enables tracking of each individual ballot consistent with parameters that the Postal Service may promulgate by regulation;
(2)
satisfies requirements for ballot envelope design that the Postal Service may promulgate by regulation;
(3)
satisfies requirements for machineable letters that the Postal Service may promulgate by regulation; and
(4)
includes the Official Election Mail Logo (or any successor label that the Postal Service may establish for ballots).
(b) Application
Subsection (a) does not apply to a Federal write-in absentee ballot under section 103 of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (52 U.S.C. 20303).
(c) Information
Not later than June 1 of each calendar year, the Postmaster General shall provide, to the entities described in the matter preceding paragraph (1) of subsection (a), the information necessary to comply with the requirements of this subsection, including how to access Postal Service tools to assist in generating the barcode or successive marking required by subsection (a)(1).
(b) Clerical amendment
The table of chapters for part IV of title 39, United States Code, is amended by adding after the item relating to chapter 30 the following:
(c) Application
The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply to any election for Federal office occurring on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.
Sec. 216. Receipt, processing, and counting of absentee and mail-in ballots
(a) In general
Title III of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 20901 et seq.), as amended by section 214(a), is amended—
(1)
by redesignating sections 306 and 307 as sections 307 and 308, respectively; and
(2)
by inserting after section 305 the following new section:
306. Receipt, processing, and counting of absentee and mail-in ballots
(a) Deadline for receipt of ballots
(1) In general
To be considered validly cast and eligible to be counted in an election for Federal office, an absentee or mail-in ballot must be received by the appropriate election official no later than the time polls close on the date of the election and, in the case of a general election for Federal office, no later than the time polls close on the date established under section 25 of the Revised Statutes of the United States (2 U.S.C. 7) for each general election for Federal office.
(2) Untimely ballot
No State may accept for tabulation an absentee or mail-in ballot that is received by the appropriate election official following the time polls close on the date of the election.
(3) Exception
The deadline described in subsection (a) shall not apply with respect to ballots cast by absent uniformed services voter or overseas voters, as defined in section 107 of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (52 U.S.C. 20310).
(b) Ballots processed upon receipt
The chief State election official shall ensure that mail-in ballots cast in an election for Federal office and received prior to the date of the election shall be processed upon receipt (except in the case of a mail-in ballot received prior to the date that is 22 days before the date of the election, no earlier than the date that is 22 days before the date of the election), including—
(1)
reviewing the ballots for defects that require curing; and
(2)
any other action necessary to prepare the ballots to be counted.
(c) Tabulation of mail-in ballots
The chief State election official shall ensure that mail-in ballots in an election for Federal office are not counted for the purpose of determining and reporting election results before the time polls close on the date of the election.
(d) Payments withheld for noncompliance
If the Attorney General determines that a State is not in compliance with this section with respect to an election for Federal office—
(1)
no payment described in section 101(a) may be made to such State; and
(2)
such State shall return any such payment made to such State during the period when such State was not in compliance with this section, as determined by the Attorney General.
(e) Effective date
This section shall apply with respect to elections for Federal office held in 2027 or any succeeding year.
(b) Clerical amendment
The table of contents of such Act, as amended by section 214(c), is amended—
(1)
by redesignating the items relating to sections 306 and 307 as relating to sections 307 and 308, respectively; and
(2)
by inserting after the item relating to section 305 the following new item: