PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, 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.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jan 3, 2025
Restoring Faith in Elections Act
This bill establishes certain standards for voting, including voting by mail, in federal elections. It also establishes certain requirements for voter registration and maintenance of official lists of eligible voters.
First, the bill establishes certain requirements for voting by mail in federal elections, including by requiring mail-in ballots to be received by the time the polls close on election day.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
Additionally, the bill makes it unlawful to possess or return a mail-in ballot completed by another person (commonly referred to as ballot harvesting), with exceptions. A violator is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to one year, or both.
Further, the bill establishes certain requirements for reporting results of federal elections, including by requiring states to count all eligible ballots within 24 hours after the election.
Next, the bill provides for the automatic registration of eligible voters. The Election Assistance Commission must make grants to states to implement these automatic voter registration programs.
It also requires states and jurisdictions to use standards that apply equally to all methods of voting used in federal elections, including standards related to signature verification.
Finally, the bill establishes the National Deconfliction Voting Database and Clearinghouse to serve as a database and clearinghouse for voter registration records and lists of eligible voters. Additionally, each state must certify that it has removed ineligible voters from the official list of eligible voters prior to the federal election.
People & committees
Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1] · R–PA
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, 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.
Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, 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.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
Text links open the official source. We also preserved the text version used in the PlainBill explanation below.
No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.
Source last updated: Apr 21, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
AI Conversation Starters
Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.
Analyze H.R.160 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
Examine H.R.160 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.
Examine H.R.160 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.
Examine H.R.160 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.
PlainBill explanation
Based on the full Introduced in House · 2025-01-03 text. This explanation has not received human editorial review. This overview describes the proposal’s major provisions; it does not establish what its real-world effects would be.
This proposal would set federal rules for mailed ballots and vote counting, and require government agencies and federally funded colleges to help register eligible people to vote. It would let registered voters correct information at polling places, require uniform election procedures within each State, and create a national database to help States check voter lists. Certain States with existing automatic-registration programs would be exempt from most new registration requirements. These provisions are proposed changes.
When otherwise permitted by State law, any vote-by-mail system used in an election for Federal office must be designed and implemented to ensure a secure, uniform, and timely system to cast a mail-in ballot in accordance with this section.
All ballots validly cast in an election for Federal office shall be counted and reported within 24 hours after the conclusion of voting on the date of the election.
In accordance with this title, each contributing agency in a State shall assist the State’s chief election official in registering to vote all eligible individuals served by that agency.
Each institution of higher education that receives Federal funds shall be treated as a contributing agency in the State in which it is located, but only with respect to students of the institution (including students who attend classes online) who reside in the State.
correct any incorrect information relating to the individual, including the individual’s name and political party affiliation, in the records of the election official
are standardized and uniform for all jurisdictions in the State which administer such elections.
The National Deconfliction Voting Database and Clearinghouse shall assist States in ensuring the integrity of elections for Federal office by serving as a database and clearinghouse of voter registration records and lists of eligible voters in elections for Federal office
Except as provided in subsection (b), this title does not apply with respect to an exempt State.
The term exempt State means a State which, under law which is in effect continuously on and after the date of the enactment of this Act, operates an automatic voter registration program
Title II declares that government should ensure eligible citizens are registered and modernize registration and list maintenance. Its statements about greater accuracy, efficiency and accessibility describe legislative purposes, not demonstrated results.
It is the purpose of this title— (A) to establish that it is the responsibility of government at every level to ensure that all eligible citizens are registered to vote; (B) to enable the State and Federal Governments to register all eligible citizens to vote with accurate, cost-efficient, and up-to-date procedures; (C) to modernize voter registration and list maintenance procedures with electronic and internet capabilities; and (D) to protect and enhance the integrity, accuracy, efficiency, and accessibility of the electoral process for all eligible citizens.
Where State law permits mail voting, requests for federal-election ballots could be submitted electronically or by postal mail on an approved standardized form. The form would have to allow officials to confirm identity and registration, and to confirm continued residence at the registered physical address if the ballot is requested at a different mailing address. Requests would have to arrive at least 21 days before the election; officials would have to mail ballots within three days, record the total sent and mark the voter rolls. These requirements would apply to federal elections held after enactment.
When otherwise permitted by State law, any vote-by-mail system used in an election for Federal office must be designed and implemented to ensure a secure, uniform, and timely system to cast a mail-in ballot in accordance with this section.
Requests for a mail-in ballot under such system may be submitted electronically or by postal mail using a standardized form approved for such requests by the chief State election official.
The form for such requests must enable an election official who receives the request to confirm— (A) the identity of the individual submitting the request; (B) that the individual is validly registered to vote in the jurisdiction where the request is submitted; and (C) that the individual continues to reside at the physical address where the individual is registered to vote (if different than the mailing address where the ballot is requested to be sent).
Such request must be submitted by an individual and received by the office of the State or local election supervisor not later than 21 days before the date of the election for Federal office. (4) Mailing of ballots Upon receipt of such a request, the State or local election supervisor shall fulfill the request by mailing a mail-in ballot to the individual within 3 days.
The office of the State or local election supervisor shall— (1) record the total number of mail-in ballots sent to voters pursuant to this section; and (2) include a notation on the voter rolls maintained by the office and provided to the individual polling locations, which identifies that a voter has received a mail-in ballot and the date that mail-in ballot was sent to the voter.
This section shall apply with respect to elections for Federal office held after the date of the enactment of this section.
To count in a federal election, a mailed ballot would have to use blue or black ink, properly designate the voter's choices, bear the same signature used for registration, be dated and arrive by poll closing on election day. The voter would also have to sign a statement confirming identity, registration in that jurisdiction and that the mailed ballot replaces an in-person vote, with no subsequent attempt to vote in person.
To be considered validly cast and eligible to be counted in an election for Federal office, a mail-in ballot must— (A) be marked using blue or black ink, and properly designate the individual’s vote for each candidate; (B) be signed by the individual using the same signature the individual used to register to vote; (C) be dated; (D) be received by the appropriate election official no later than the time polls close on the date of the election; and (E) include an attestation, signed by the individual, that the individual submitting the mail-in ballot is— (i) the individual to whom the ballot was mailed; (ii) registered to vote in the jurisdiction where the ballot is being submitted; and (iii) submitting the mail-in ballot in lieu of casting a ballot in-person, and will not attempt to cast a ballot in-person after submitting the mail-in ballot.
A voter could return a mailed ballot in person at the polling place where registered. Someone choosing to vote in person instead would have to surrender the blank or incomplete mailed ballot; without it, the person would be directed to use a provisional ballot rather than a regular ballot.
An individual may choose to return a mail-in ballot in-person to the polling place where the individual is registered to vote in lieu of returning the ballot by mail.
An individual who receives a mail-in ballot with respect to an election for Federal office may instead vote in-person in such election if the individual turns in the blank or incomplete mail-in ballot received by the individual to the polling location where the individual plans to vote in-person. (2) Provisional ballot If the individual attempts to vote in-person but does not bring their blank or incomplete mail-in ballot to the polling location, the individual shall be directed to complete a provisional ballot.
Possessing or returning another person's completed mailed ballot would generally be unlawful. Exceptions would cover specified immediate family members and caregivers of older people, with each exception limited to possession of two completed ballots besides the person's own. Postal workers and election officials would be exempt for incidental possession in their official duties. Violations could bring a federal fine, imprisonment for up to one year, or both.
It shall be unlawful for any person to possess or return a mail-in ballot completed by another person, except as provided in this subsection.
A person may possess or return a mail-in ballot completed by an immediate family member, provided that the person does not possess more than two such completed mail-in ballots other than his or her own. (B) Definition of immediate family member In this paragraph, the term immediate family member means the spouse, child, parent, grandparent, or sibling of the person.
A caregiver may possess or return a mail-in ballot completed by a person under the supervision or care of the caregiver, provided that the caregiver does not possess more than two such completed mail-in ballots other than his or her own. (B) Definition of caregiver In this paragraph, the term caregiver means an individual who has the responsibility for the care of an older individual, either voluntarily, by contract, by receipt of payment for care, or as a result of the operation of law and means an individual who provides (on behalf of such individual or of a public or private agency, organization, or institution) compensated or uncompensated care to an older individual.
The prohibition 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 his or her official capacity. (5) Penalty Any person who violates this subsection shall be fined under title 18, United States Code, or imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both.
For federal elections after enactment, counting of mailed ballots received before election day would have to begin at least one week before election day. One hour after polls close, precincts would report mailed and in-person ballot totals and how many were counted or remained uncounted. All validly cast ballots would have to be counted and reported within 24 hours. Sections 102 and 103 would also add the new standards to the Help America Vote Act's enforcement cross-reference.
Mail-in ballots received prior to the date of the election shall be counted beginning at least one week prior to the date of the election.
One hour after polls close on the date of the election, each voting precinct shall report to the chief State election official the following: (A) The total number of mail-in ballots received by the voting precinct. (B) The total number of ballots cast in-person in the voting precinct. (C) Of the ballots reported under subparagraphs (A) and (B), the number of such ballots that have been counted and the number of such ballots that remain to be counted. (3) All ballots validly cast in an election for Federal office shall be counted and reported within 24 hours after the conclusion of voting on the date of the election.
This section shall apply with respect to elections for Federal office held after the date of the enactment of this section.
Conforming amendment relating to enforcement Section 401 of such Act (52 U.S.C. 21111), as amended by section 2(b) of the COCOA Act of 2024, is amended by striking and 304 and inserting 304, and 305.
Conforming amendment relating to enforcement Section 401 of such Act (52 U.S.C. 21111), as amended by section 102(b), is amended by striking and 305 and inserting 305, and 306.
States covered by Title II would establish automatic registration using electronic agency records unless eligible individuals decline. For new agency records, election officials would register eligible individuals within 15 days after transmission and send written status notices. For registration under this title, a State could not reject someone solely for being under 18 if the person was at least 16 when the agency received the information. This provision concerns registration; it does not specify when those individuals could first cast a ballot.
The chief State election official of each State shall establish and operate a system of automatic registration for the registration of eligible individuals to vote for elections for Federal office in the State, in accordance with the provisions of this title.
The term automatic registration means a system that registers an individual to vote in elections for Federal office in a State, if eligible, by electronically transferring the information necessary for registration from government agencies to election officials of the State so that, unless the individual affirmatively declines to be registered, the individual will be registered to vote in such elections.
not later than 15 days after a contributing agency has transmitted information with respect to an individual pursuant to section 203, ensure that the individual is registered to vote in elections for Federal office in the State if the individual is eligible to be registered to vote in such elections; and (2) send written notice to the individual, in addition to other means of notice established by this part, of the individual’s voter registration status.
A State may not refuse to treat an individual as an eligible individual for purposes of this title on the grounds that the individual is less than 18 years of age at the time a contributing agency receives information with respect to the individual, so long as the individual is at least 16 years of age at such time.
For the one-time registration using existing records, officials would identify eligible unregistered people and send notice without naming the supplying agency. The notice would explain voluntary registration, eligibility, correction options and any applicable party-enrollment choice. Eligible people would be registered within 45 days after notice unless they declined within 30 days in writing, online or through an officially logged telephone communication; a registration-status notice would follow.
identify all individuals whose information is transmitted by a contributing agency pursuant to section 204 and who are eligible to be, but are not currently, registered to vote in that State
promptly send each such individual written notice, in addition to other means of notice established by this title, which shall not identify the contributing agency that transmitted the information but shall include— (A) an explanation that voter registration is voluntary, but if the individual does not decline registration, the individual will be registered to vote; (B) a statement offering the opportunity to decline voter registration through means consistent with the requirements of this title; (C) in the case of a State in which affiliation or enrollment with a political party is required in order to participate in an election to select the party’s candidate in an election for Federal office, a statement offering the individual the opportunity to affiliate or enroll with a political party or to decline to affiliate or enroll with a political party, through means consistent with the requirements of this title; (D) the substantive qualifications of an elector in the State as listed in the mail voter registration application form for elections for Federal office prescribed pursuant to section 9 of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, the consequences of false registration, and a statement that the individual should decline to register if the individual does not meet all those qualifications; (E) instructions for correcting any erroneous information; and (F) instructions for providing any additional information
ensure that each such individual who is eligible to register to vote in elections for Federal office in the State is promptly registered to vote not later than 45 days after the official sends the individual the written notice under paragraph (2), unless, during the 30-day period which begins on the date the election official sends the individual such written notice, the individual declines registration in writing, through a communication made over the internet, or by an officially logged telephone communication; and (4) send written notice to each such individual, in addition to other means of notice established by this title, of the individual’s voter registration status.
Participating State agencies would include those already required to offer voter registration, agencies administering specified Social Security Act and Affordable Care Act programs, firearm-regulation agencies, public-secondary-school record agencies and designated additional agencies. Agencies administering criminal sentences or restoration of voting rights would participate where State law allows eligibility to return. State election officials would publish an updated agency list at least 180 days before each federal election and work with agencies on public education.
Each agency in a State that is required by Federal law to provide voter registration services, including the State motor vehicle authority and other voter registration agencies under the National Voter Registration Act of 1993.
Each agency in a State that administers a program pursuant to title III of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 501 et seq.), title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.), or the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111–148). (C) Each State agency primarily responsible for regulating the private possession of firearms. (D) Each State agency primarily responsible for maintaining identifying information for students enrolled at public secondary schools
In the case of a State in which an individual disenfranchised by a criminal conviction may become eligible to vote upon completion of a criminal sentence or any part thereof, or upon formal restoration of rights, the State agency responsible for administering that sentence, or part thereof, or that restoration of rights. (F) Any other agency of the State which is designated by the State as a contributing agency.
Not later than 180 days prior to the date of each election for Federal office held in the State, the chief State election official shall publish on the public website of the official an updated list of all contributing agencies in that State. (5) Public education The chief State election official of each State, in collaboration with each contributing agency, shall take appropriate measures to educate the public about voter registration under this section.
The proposal also names federal benefits, defense, labor and immigration agencies as registration contributors, with immigration-agency participation limited to people who completed naturalization. It includes qualifying federal criminal-sentence agencies and allows additional federal agencies by agreement. Federally funded colleges would participate for students residing in the college's State, including online students; compliance would exempt those colleges from the separately cited Higher Education Act registration requirement. That referenced requirement is not reproduced in the supplied source, so the exemption's full practical effect cannot be established here.
The Social Security Administration, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Defense Manpower Data Center of the Department of Defense, the Employee and Training Administration of the Department of Labor, and the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services of the Department of Health and Human Services. (B) The Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services, but only with respect to individuals who have completed the naturalization process.
In the case of an individual who is a resident of a State in which an individual disenfranchised by a criminal conviction under Federal law may become eligible to vote upon completion of a criminal sentence or any part thereof, or upon formal restoration of rights, the Federal agency responsible for administering that sentence or part thereof (without regard to whether the agency is located in the same State in which the individual is a resident), but only with respect to individuals who have completed the criminal sentence or any part thereof.
Any other agency of the Federal Government which the State designates as a contributing agency, but only if the State and the head of the agency determine that the agency collects information sufficient to carry out the responsibilities of a contributing agency under this section.
Each institution of higher education that receives Federal funds shall be treated as a contributing agency in the State in which it is located, but only with respect to students of the institution (including students who attend classes online) who reside in the State. An institution of higher education described in the previous sentence shall be exempt from the voter registration requirements of section 487(a)(23) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1094(a)(23)) if the institution is in compliance with the applicable requirements of this part.
Agencies that ordinarily ask applicants to affirm U.S. citizenship would explain automatic registration to citizens during applications, renewals, recertifications, address changes or college enrollment. Transactions could not finish before an opportunity to decline registration. Agencies that do not ordinarily ask about citizenship would instead require applicants to choose whether to register. Registration choices would not affect services or benefits, and a previous refusal would not eliminate future registration opportunities.
With each application for service or assistance, and with each related recertification, renewal, or change of address, or, in the case of an institution of higher education, with each registration of a student for enrollment in a course of study, each contributing agency that (in the normal course of its operations) requests individuals to affirm United States citizenship (either directly or as part of the overall application for service or assistance) shall inform each such individual who is a citizen of the United States
Voter registration is voluntary, and neither registering nor declining to register to vote will in any way affect the availability of services or benefits, nor be used for other purposes.
cannot be completed until the individual is given the opportunity to decline to be registered to vote.
any contributing agency that in the normal course of its operations does not request individuals applying for service or assistance to affirm United States citizenship
ensure that each applicant’s transaction with the agency cannot be completed until the applicant has indicated whether the applicant wishes to register to vote or declines to register to vote in elections for Federal office held in the State; and (3) for each individual who wishes to register to vote, transmit that individual’s information in accordance with subsection (b)(3).
the opportunity to register to vote as prescribed by this section without regard to whether the individual previously declined a registration opportunity.
Under the automatic-registration process, agencies would electronically transmit information after a 30-day opportunity to decline. Required data would include name, birth date, residence, citizenship information and collection or update date. Electronic signatures, party affiliation, driver's-license numbers and the last four Social Security digits would be included subject to the text's availability or provision conditions.
Upon the expiration of the 30-day period which begins on the date the contributing agency informs the individual of the information described in paragraph (1), each contributing agency shall electronically transmit to the appropriate State election official, in a format compatible with the statewide voter database maintained under section 303 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21083), the following information, unless during such 30-day period the individual declined to be registered to vote: (A) The individual’s given name(s) and surname(s). (B) The individual’s date of birth. (C) The individual’s residential address. (D) Information showing that the individual is a citizen of the United States. (E) The date on which information pertaining to that individual was collected or last updated. (F) If available, the individual’s signature in electronic form. (G) Information regarding the individual’s affiliation or enrollment with a political party, if the individual provides such information. (H) Any additional information listed in the mail voter registration application form for elections for Federal office prescribed pursuant to section 9 of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, including any valid driver’s license number or the last 4 digits of the individual’s social security number, if the individual provided such information.
Agencies holding the required information for people already in their records at enactment would transmit it by the section 211(a) effective date. Records added between enactment and that effective date would be transmitted within six months afterward. Section 211(a) specifies January 1, 2027, subject to the separate State waiver provision.
For each individual already listed in a contributing agency’s records as of the date of enactment of this Act, and for whom the agency has the information listed in section 203(b)(3), the agency shall promptly transmit that information to the appropriate State election official in accordance with section 203(b)(3) not later than the effective date described in section 211(a).
For each individual listed in a contributing agency’s records as of the effective date described in section 211(a) (but who was not listed in a contributing agency’s records as of the date of enactment of this Act), and for whom the agency has the information listed in section 203(b)(3), the Agency shall promptly transmit that information to the appropriate State election official in accordance with section 203(b)(3) not later than 6 months after the effective date described in section 211(a).
Except as provided in subsection (b), this title and the amendments made by this title shall apply with respect to a State beginning January 1, 2027.
The proposal would protect people from specified federal prosecution and immigration or citizenship consequences based on automatic-registration errors, reporting their automatic registration, declining registration or not affirming citizenship. Automatic registration and the specified choices could not be used against them in State or federal law-enforcement proceedings; testimony alone could demonstrate lack of knowledge or willfulness. These protections would not prevent action against knowing and willful false registration statements or illegal voting.
An individual shall not be prosecuted under any Federal law, adversely affected in any civil adjudication concerning immigration status or naturalization, or subject to an allegation in any legal proceeding that the individual is not a citizen of the United States on any of the following grounds: (1) The individual notified an election office of the individual’s automatic registration to vote under this title. (2) The individual is not eligible to vote in elections for Federal office but was automatically registered to vote under this title. (3) The individual was automatically registered to vote under this title at an incorrect address. (4) The individual declined the opportunity to register to vote or did not make an affirmation of citizenship, including through automatic registration, under this title.
The automatic registration of any individual or the fact that an individual declined the opportunity to register to vote or did not make an affirmation of citizenship (including through automatic registration) under this title may not be used as evidence against that individual in any State or Federal law enforcement proceeding, and an individual’s lack of knowledge or willfulness of such registration may be demonstrated by the individual’s testimony alone.
Nothing in subsection (a) or (b) may be construed to prohibit or restrict any action under color of law against an individual who— (1) knowingly and willfully makes a false statement to effectuate or perpetuate automatic voter registration by any individual; or (2) casts a ballot knowingly and willfully in violation of State law or the laws of the United States.
Title II would not itself authorize agencies to collect or share registration refusals or decisions not to affirm citizenship, or to handle transmitted registration information outside ordinary agency business. Election officials would generally be barred from publicly disclosing the source agency, unnecessary or otherwise protected information, Social Security and driver's-license numbers, signatures, telephone numbers and email addresses. For people registered using agency information, the special disclosure list omits telephone numbers and email addresses; other applicable protections could still cover them.
Nothing in this title authorizes a contributing agency to collect, retain, transmit, or publicly disclose any of the following: (1) An individual’s decision to decline to register to vote or not to register to vote. (2) An individual’s decision not to affirm his or her citizenship. (3) Any information that a contributing agency transmits pursuant to section 203(b)(3), except in pursuing the agency’s ordinary course of business.
Subject to subparagraph (B), with respect to any individual for whom any State election official receives information from a contributing agency, the State election officials shall not publicly disclose any of the following: (i) The identity of the contributing agency. (ii) Any information not necessary to voter registration. (iii) Any voter information otherwise shielded from disclosure under State law or section 8(a) of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20507(a)). (iv) Any portion of the individual’s social security number. (v) Any portion of the individual’s motor vehicle driver’s license number. (vi) The individual’s signature. (vii) The individual’s telephone number. (viii) The individual’s email address.
With respect to any individual for whom any State election official receives information from a contributing agency and who, on the basis of such information, is registered to vote in the State under this part, the State election officials shall not publicly disclose any of the following: (i) The identity of the contributing agency. (ii) Any information not necessary to voter registration. (iii) Any voter information otherwise shielded from disclosure under State law or section 8(a) of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20507(a)). (iv) Any portion of the individual’s social security number. (v) Any portion of the individual’s motor vehicle driver’s license number. (vi) The individual’s signature.
Covered States would retain voter-record changes for at least two years and make them available for public inspection and, where available, copying at reasonable cost. After public notice and comment, the National Institute of Standards and Technology would establish uniform, nondiscriminatory standards for matching voter data and publish privacy and security standards. State policies would address authorized access, permissions and safeguards throughout data transmission and storage.
Each State shall maintain for at least 2 years and shall make available for public inspection and, where available, photocopying at a reasonable cost, all records of changes to voter records, including removals and updates.
The Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology shall, after providing the public with notice and the opportunity to comment— (A) establish standards governing the comparison of data for voter registration list maintenance purposes, identifying as part of such standards the specific data elements, the matching rules used, and how a State may use the data to determine and deem that an individual is ineligible under State law to vote in an election, or to deem a record to be a duplicate or outdated; (B) ensure that the standards developed pursuant to this paragraph are uniform and nondiscriminatory and are applied in a uniform and nondiscriminatory manner; and (C) publish the standards developed pursuant to this paragraph on the Director’s website and make those standards available in written form upon request.
The Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology shall, after providing the public with notice and the opportunity to comment, publish privacy and security standards for voter registration information.
each class of users who shall have authorized access to the computerized statewide voter registration list, specifying for each class the permission and levels of access to be granted, and setting forth other safeguards to protect the privacy, security, and accuracy of the information on the list; and (B) security safeguards to protect personal information transmitted through the information transmittal processes of section 203 or section 204, the online system used pursuant to section 207, any telephone interface, the maintenance of the voter registration database, and any audit procedure to track access to the system.
Covered States would annually certify compliance with the data and security standards and publish their policies. Failure to file on time would bar Title II payments for the upcoming fiscal year. A State needing legislation could certify for up to two years before that legislation was enacted, then submit an additional certification after enactment.
The chief executive officer of the State shall annually file with the Election Assistance Commission a statement certifying to the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology that the State is in compliance with the standards referred to in paragraphs (3) and (4).
The chief State election official of a State shall publish on the official’s website the policies and procedures established under this section, and shall make those policies and procedures available in written form upon public request.
If a State does not timely file the certification required under this paragraph, it shall not receive any payment under this title for the upcoming fiscal year.
In the case of a State that requires State legislation to carry out an activity covered by any certification submitted under this paragraph, for a period of not more than 2 years the State shall be permitted to make the certification notwithstanding that the legislation has not been enacted at the time the certification is submitted, and such State shall submit an additional certification once such legislation is enacted.
People exercising governmental authority could not discriminate based on registration records, registration status or specified refusals, and could use that information only for registration, election administration or election-crime enforcement. Information collected under Title II could not be used commercially. The commercial-use ban would expressly preserve sharing for political purposes, including campaigns and political committees.
No person acting under color of law may discriminate against any individual based on, or use for any purpose other than voter registration, election administration, or enforcement relating to election crimes, any of the following: (1) Voter registration records. (2) An individual’s declination to register to vote or complete an affirmation of citizenship under section 203(b). (3) An individual’s voter registration status.
Information collected under this title shall not be used for commercial purposes. Nothing in this subsection may be construed to prohibit the transmission, exchange, or dissemination of information for political purposes, including the support of campaigns for election for Federal, State, or local public office or the activities of political committees (including committees of political parties) under the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971.
People already registered for federal elections in a State would be allowed to update their address or correct information, including name and party affiliation, at polling places, including those used before election day. They could cast a regular ballot using the corrected information rather than a provisional ballot. Officials would promptly update the statewide registration list.
if an individual is registered to vote in elections for Federal office held in a State, the appropriate election official at the polling place for any such election (including a location used as a polling place on a date other than the date of the election) shall permit the individual to— (1) update the individual’s address for purposes of the records of the election official; (2) correct any incorrect information relating to the individual, including the individual’s name and political party affiliation, in the records of the election official; and (3) cast a ballot in the election on the basis of the updated address or corrected information, and to have the ballot treated as a regular ballot and not as a provisional ballot under section 302(a) of such Act.
If an election official at the polling place receives an updated address or corrected information from an individual under subsection (a), the official shall ensure that the address or information is promptly entered into the computerized statewide voter registration list
The Election Assistance Commission would make implementation grants to eligible States, including grants supporting exempt States' existing automatic-registration programs. Applicants would describe activities and promise implementation without partisan bias or promotion of a particular viewpoint on any issue. The Commission would set grant amounts and prioritize faster compliance or stronger existing programs, including electronic data transfers, online registration and public education.
The Election Assistance Commission shall make grants to each eligible State to assist the State in implementing the requirements of this title (or, in the case of an exempt State, in implementing its existing automatic voter registration program).
an application containing— (1) a description of the activities the State will carry out with the grant; (2) an assurance that the State shall carry out such activities without partisan bias and without promoting any particular point of view regarding any issue; and (3) such other information and assurances as the Commission may require.
The Commission shall determine the amount of a grant made to an eligible State under this section. In determining the amounts of the grants, the Commission shall give priority to providing funds for those activities which are most likely to accelerate compliance with the requirements of this title (or, in the case of an exempt State, which are most likely to enhance the ability of the State to automatically register individuals to vote through its existing automatic voter registration program)
investments supporting electronic information transfer, including electronic collection and transfer of signatures, between contributing agencies and the appropriate State election officials; (2) updates to online or electronic voter registration systems already operating as of the date of the enactment of this Act; (3) introduction of online voter registration systems in jurisdictions in which those systems did not previously exist; and (4) public education on the availability of new methods of registering to vote, updating registration, and correcting registration.
The bill would authorize $500 million for registration grants in fiscal year 2025 and whatever sums are necessary in later fiscal years. This is permission for appropriations, not an appropriation itself. Money subsequently appropriated under this authority would remain available until spent, without a fiscal-year expiration.
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section— (A) $500,000,000 for fiscal year 2025; and (B) such sums as may be necessary for each succeeding fiscal year. (2) Continuing availability of funds Any amounts appropriated pursuant to the authority of this subsection shall remain available without fiscal year limitation until expended.
A State with a qualifying automatic-registration program based on motor-vehicle agency information, operating under law continuously in effect from enactment, would be exempt from most of Title II. Polling-place corrections, grants, enforcement and the provision preserving other laws would still apply. For Title II, State includes the District of Columbia.
The term exempt State means a State which, under law which is in effect continuously on and after the date of the enactment of this Act, operates an automatic voter registration program under which an individual is automatically registered to vote in elections for Federal office in the State if the individual provides the motor vehicle authority of the State with such identifying information as the State may require.
Except as provided in subsection (b), this title does not apply with respect to an exempt State. (b) Exceptions The following provisions of this title apply with respect to an exempt State: (1) Section 206 (relating to registration portability and correction). (2) Section 207 (relating to payments and grants). (3) Section 209(e) (relating to enforcement). (4) Section 209(f) (relating to relation to other laws).
The term State means each of the several States and the District of Columbia.
Registration services would have to be equally available to people with disabilities and follow the cited nonpartisan, nondiscriminatory service requirements. Agencies could contract for data transmission if privacy and security requirements were met. States could email notices with the recipient's consent; notices requiring a response would have to offer a free way to respond.
Each contributing agency shall ensure that the services it provides under this title are made available to individuals with disabilities to the same extent as services are made available to all other individuals.
Nothing in this title shall be construed to prevent a contributing agency from contracting with a third party to assist the agency in meeting the information transmittal requirements of this title, so long as the data transmittal complies with the applicable requirements of this title, including the privacy and security provisions of section 205.
Nonpartisan, nondiscriminatory provision of services The services made available by contributing agencies under this title and by the State under sections 205 and 206 shall be made in a manner consistent with paragraphs (4), (5), and (6)(C) of section 7(a) of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20506(a)).
Each State may send notices under this title via electronic mail if the individual has provided an electronic mail address and consented to electronic mail communications for election-related materials. All notices sent pursuant to this title that require a response must offer the individual notified the opportunity to respond at no cost to the individual.
Title II would use the National Voter Registration Act's civil-enforcement rules, including private lawsuits. Except where otherwise provided, it would preserve the application of the Voting Rights Act, the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, the National Voter Registration Act and the Help America Vote Act.
Section 11 of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20510), relating to civil enforcement and the availability of private rights of action, shall apply with respect to this title in the same manner as such section applies to such Act.
Except as provided, nothing in this title may be construed to authorize or require conduct prohibited under, or to supersede, restrict, or limit the application of any of the following: (1) The Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. 10301 et seq.). (2) The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (52 U.S.C. 20301 et seq.). (3) The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20501 et seq.). (4) The Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 20901 et seq.).
Title II would generally apply beginning January 1, 2027. With Election Assistance Commission approval, a State documenting extraordinary circumstances preventing compliance could receive a delay until January 1, 2029.
Except as provided in subsection (b), this title and the amendments made by this title shall apply with respect to a State beginning January 1, 2027.
Subject to the approval of the Commission, if a State certifies to the Commission that the State will not meet the deadline referred to in subsection (a) because of extraordinary circumstances and includes in the certification the reasons for the failure to meet the deadline, subsection (a) shall apply to the State as if the reference in such subsection to January 1, 2027 were a reference to January 1, 2029.
Starting with the November 2026 regular federal general election, States and jurisdictions would apply equal standards across voting methods, including signature verification. They could subsidize one method only if they subsidized other methods by an equivalent amount. The cost exception covers disability accommodations and compliance with the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act.
Each State and jurisdiction shall administer an election for Federal office under standards which apply equally to all methods of voting used in the election, including standards relating to signature verification, and shall not prepay or otherwise subsidize the costs associated with one method of voting in an election unless the State or jurisdiction prepays or otherwise subsidizes the costs associated with other methods of voting in the election in an equivalent amount.
Paragraph (1) does not apply with respect to costs prepaid or otherwise subsidized by a State or jurisdiction in providing accommodations for disabled voters or in meeting the requirements of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act.
the requirements of subsection (d) shall apply with respect to the regularly scheduled general election for Federal office held in November 2026 and each succeeding election for Federal office.
States would require uniform federal-election administration procedures across their jurisdictions, including when provisional ballots may be cast and how they are accepted or rejected. Section 302 extends the November 2026 starting date to this requirement as well.
Each State shall ensure that the procedures used for the administration of elections for Federal office in the State, including the procedures used to determine the conditions under which individuals may cast provisional ballots and the criteria for the acceptance and rejection of provisional ballots, are standardized and uniform for all jurisdictions in the State which administer such elections.
Section 302(f) of such Act, as redesignated by subsection (a) and as amended by section 301(b), is amended by striking subsection (d) and inserting subsections (d) and (e).
the requirements of subsection (d) shall apply with respect to the regularly scheduled general election for Federal office held in November 2026 and each succeeding election for Federal office.
The bill would establish a National Deconfliction Voting Database and Clearinghouse within the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency—a national collection of voter records intended to help States identify conflicting registrations. Its stated purposes include registration only in the State where a voter is domiciled, removing deceased voters and ensuring that only U.S. citizens vote in federal elections. The text does not establish that these intended results would occur.
There is established within the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency the National Deconfliction Voting Database and Clearinghouse.
The National Deconfliction Voting Database and Clearinghouse shall assist States in ensuring the integrity of elections for Federal office by serving as a database and clearinghouse of voter registration records and lists of eligible voters in elections for Federal office, so that States may ensure that individual voters are registered only in the one State in which they are domiciled, deceased voters are purged from voting rolls, and only citizens of the United States vote in such elections.
Beginning with the November 2026 regular federal general election, each State and its chief election official would certify at least 90 days before a federal election that a program to remove ineligible voters had been completed. Certification would go to the Election Assistance Commission and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and the certified eligible-voter list would be transferred to that agency for inclusion in the national database.
Not later than 90 days prior to the date of an election for Federal office, each State and the chief State election official of each State shall certify to the Election Assistance Commission and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency that the State has completed a program to remove the names of ineligible voters from the official list of eligible voters with respect to the election, and shall transfer to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (for inclusion in the National Deconfliction Voting Database and Clearinghouse) the certified list of eligible voters in the election.
The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to the regularly scheduled general election for Federal office held in November 2026 and each succeeding election for Federal office.
At least 180 days before each regular federal general election covered by section 402, the Postal Service would supply information about people who had moved out of a State since the previous such election. The Social Security Administration would supply information about people from the State who had died during that interval. Both would send the information to State election officials and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.
Not later than 180 days before the date of each regularly scheduled general election for Federal office— (i) the Postmaster General shall transmit to the chief State election official of a State and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency change-of-address information on individuals who, since the previous regularly scheduled general election for Federal office, are no longer residents of the State; and (ii) the Director of the Social Security Administration shall transmit to the chief State election official and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency information on individuals from the State who have died since the previous regularly scheduled general election for Federal office.
Each driver's-license applicant would have to declare, under penalty of perjury, whether they live or previously lived in another State and whether they intend the licensing State to be their residence for federal voter registration. If they intend the licensing State to serve as that residence, its licensing authority would notify the identified other State's motor-vehicle authority, which would notify its election official. As written, the provision applies to elections in 2025 and later years.
A State motor vehicle authority shall require each individual applying for a motor vehicle driver’s license in the State— (i) to attest, under penalty of perjury, 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 attest, under penalty of perjury, 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.
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.
The amendments made by subsection (a) shall take effect with respect to elections occurring in 2025 or any succeeding year.
The supplied action snapshot, updated April 21, 2026, records introduction in the House on January 3, 2025, and referral that day to the House Administration Committee and the Science, Space, and Technology Committee. This snapshot does not establish subsequent passage or enactment.
Source snapshot updated 2026-04-21T16:27:20Z.
2025-01-03: Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, 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.
2025-01-03: Introduced in House
A closer look
Reviewed version: Introduced in House · 2025-01-03. These findings describe provisions and who may benefit; they are not judgments of waste, corruption, or motive.
This review covers the supplied bill text. “None identified” does not rule out provisions in later versions or accompanying reports and disclosures.
Provisions outside the bill’s main subject, or policy changes attached to appropriations.
None identified in the reviewed text
No unrelated provision or policy rider attached to appropriations was identified in the complete supplied introduced-text version. This conclusion does not establish the absence of riders in other versions or accompanying materials.
Spending directed to particular recipients or places outside ordinary competitive or formula-based allocation.
None identified in the reviewed text
No congressionally directed spending for a particular recipient or place was identified in the complete supplied introduced-text version. This text-only conclusion does not establish formal earmark status or the absence of earmarks in other versions or accompanying materials.
Narrow exceptions, exemptions, or preferential treatment that warrant a closer look.
Findings to examine
The supplied introduced text contains materially narrow exemptions and an express use exception within its registration policy. These classifications identify differential treatment, not improper purpose.
States with qualifying motor-vehicle-based automatic-registration programs under laws continuously in effect from enactment would receive an exemption from most Title II requirements while remaining eligible for grants supporting their existing programs. Polling-place correction, grants, enforcement and preservation of other laws would still apply. This is a specific exemption within the bill's main registration policy; the text does not identify which States qualify.
The term exempt State means a State which, under law which is in effect continuously on and after the date of the enactment of this Act, operates an automatic voter registration program under which an individual is automatically registered to vote in elections for Federal office in the State if the individual provides the motor vehicle authority of the State with such identifying information as the State may require.
Except as provided in subsection (b), this title does not apply with respect to an exempt State. (b) Exceptions The following provisions of this title apply with respect to an exempt State: (1) Section 206 (relating to registration portability and correction). (2) Section 207 (relating to payments and grants). (3) Section 209(e) (relating to enforcement). (4) Section 209(f) (relating to relation to other laws).
The Election Assistance Commission shall make grants to each eligible State to assist the State in implementing the requirements of this title (or, in the case of an exempt State, in implementing its existing automatic voter registration program).
Political-purpose users, including campaigns and political committees, would receive an express carve-out from the commercial-use prohibition for registration information. The exception preserves political sharing within the registration-data policy; it does not expressly override the section's separate privacy and disclosure restrictions.
Information collected under this title shall not be used for commercial purposes. Nothing in this subsection may be construed to prohibit the transmission, exchange, or dissemination of information for political purposes, including the support of campaigns for election for Federal, State, or local public office or the activities of political committees (including committees of political parties) under the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971.
Federally funded institutions of higher education complying with the applicable requirements of this part would be exempt from the voter-registration requirements of section 487(a)(23) of the Higher Education Act of 1965. The exemption accompanies their designation as contributing agencies for students residing in the institution's State, including online students. This is a conditional institutional exemption within the bill's registration policy. The referenced Higher Education Act provision is absent from the supplied source, so the full practical effect of the exemption cannot be established here.
Each institution of higher education that receives Federal funds shall be treated as a contributing agency in the State in which it is located, but only with respect to students of the institution (including students who attend classes online) who reside in the State. An institution of higher education described in the previous sentence shall be exempt from the voter registration requirements of section 487(a)(23) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1094(a)(23)) if the institution is in compliance with the applicable requirements of this part.
Full text preserved for this analysis. Legislative record snapshot: Apr 21, 2026. How PlainBill uses AI