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Version 48 · Conference report filed in House · Apr 28, 1993
National Voter Registration Act of 1993 - Requires each State to establish Federal election voter registration procedures by: (1) application made simultaneously with a driver's license application; (2) mail; and (3) application in person at a designated Federal, State, or nongovernmental office, or at the applicant's residential registration site in accordance with State law. Declares that this Act does not apply to any State that has no voter registration requirement with respect to elections for Federal office and/or in which voters may register at the polling place at the time of a general election for Federal office. (Sec. 5) Declares that each State motor vehicle license application (or renewal application) shall simultaneously serve as a voter registration application with respect to Federal elections, unless the applicant fails to sign the voter registration application. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) forms and procedures; and (2) transmittal deadlines. (Sec. 6) Requires each State to use the mail voter registration application form prescribed by the Federal Election Commission (Commission). Authorizes a State to develop its own form provided it meets the requirements of this Act. Authorizes a State to require first-time voters to vote in person, with exceptions for overseas and handicapped or elderly persons. Authorizes the removal of a voter application in the case of an undelivered (returned) notice of an application made by mail. (Sec. 7) Requires each State to designate voter registration agencies including: (1) all State offices that provide public assistance, unemployment compensation, or disability services; (2) State or local government offices; (3) Federal and nongovernmental offices (upon their agreement); and (4) armed forces recruitment offices. (Sec. 8) Requires each State to: (1) assure that any eligible applicant who submits an application by a certain deadline is registered to vote in the election; (2) require the appropriate State election official to notify each applicant of the disposition of the application; (3) provide that the name of a voter may not be removed from the official list of eligible voters except by reason of death, criminal conviction, mental incapacity, change in residence, or voter request; (4) inform applicants of voter eligibility requirements and penalties provided by law for submission of a false voter registration application; (5) conduct a general program that makes a reasonable effort to remove from the official lists any voters ineligible by reason of death or change of address; and (6) ensure tht the identity of any voter registration agency where a particular voter registered is not publicly disclosed. Provides that any State program or activity to protect the integrity of the electoral process by assuring an accurate and current voter registration roll for elections for Federal office shall: (1) be uniform and nondiscriminatory; and (2) not result in the removal of the name of any person from the official list of registered voters for failing to vote. Prohibits a State from removing the name of a voter from the official list of eligible voters for Federal elections on the grounds that the registrant has moved, unless such registrant: (1) confirms in writing that he or she has changed residence to a place outside the jurisdiction of the registrar; or (2) has failed to respond to a notice from the registrar and has not appeared to vote and, if necessary, correct the address in an election during a certain period. Provides for the opportunity to vote of a person who has changed address without properly notifying the registrar. States that in the event of a change of address, for voting purposes, of a voter to another address within the same jurisdiction, the registrar shall correct the voting registration list accordingly. Prohibits such voter's name from being removed from the registry of eligible voters by reason of such change of address, except as provided in this Act. Requires the United States attorney to give the chief State election official written notice of an offender's felony conviction in Federal district court. Amends Federal postal rate law to require the Postal Service to make certain lower postal rates available to State or local election officials who certify that a mailing is in furtherance of this Act. Requires the States to maintain for public disclosure, for a minimum two-year period, all records pertaining to the accuracy and currency of official lists of eligible voters. (Sec. 9) Directs the Commission to: (1) develop a mail voter registration application form for Federal elections; (2) submit to the Congress not later than June 30 of each odd-numbered year a report assessing the impact of this Act on the administration of Federal elections during the preceding two-year period; and (3) provide information to the States with respect to their responsibilities. (Sec. 10) Requires each State to designate a chief State election official to coordinate State functions under this Act. (Sec. 11) Provides a private right of action for an individual aggrieved by a violation of this Act. (Sec. 12) Imposes criminal penalties upon any person who: (1) intimidates, threatens, or coerces any person for registering or voting or exercising any right under this Act; or (2) deprives or defrauds the inhabitants of a State of a fair and impartially conducted election process. (Sec. 13) Sets forth the effective date of this Act.
People & committees
Rep. Swift, Al [D-WA-2] · D–WA
Legislative record
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Became Public Law No: 103-31.
Became Public Law No: 103-31.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Senate agreed to conference report by Yea-Nay Vote. 62-36. Record Vote No: 118. (consideration: CR S5735-5736, S5739-5749)
Senate roll call 118 · Individual votesConference report agreed to in Senate: Senate agreed to conference report by Yea-Nay Vote. 62-36. Record Vote No: 118.(consideration: CR S5735-5736, S5739-5749)
Senate roll call 118 · Individual votesCloture on the conference report on H.R.2 invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 63-37. Record Vote No: 117. (consideration: CR S5743-5744)
Senate roll call 117 · Individual votesConference report considered in Senate.
Second cloture motion on the conference report to accompany H.R.2 presented in Senate.
Conference report considered in Senate. (consideration: CR S5677-5699, S5718)
Cloture motion on the conference report to accompany H.R.2 presented in Senate.
Conference report considered in Senate. (consideration: CR S5642-5644)
Conference papers: message on House action held at the desk in Senate.
On agreeing to the conference report Agreed to by recorded vote: 259 - 164 (Roll no. 154). (consideration: CR H2264-2276)
House roll call 154 · Individual votesMotions to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Conference report agreed to in House: On agreeing to the conference report Agreed to by recorded vote: 259 - 164 (Roll no. 154).(consideration: CR H2264-2276)
House roll call 154 · Individual votesOn motion to recommit with instructions to conference committee Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 170 - 253 (Roll no. 153).
House roll call 153 · Individual votesRECOMMIT WITH INSTRUCTIONS - The motion seeks to require the managers of the conference on the part of the House to include in their report the provision found in Section 13 of the Senate amendment. Section 13 provides that nothing in this Act shall prevent a State from requiring presentation of documentation relating to citizenship of an applicant for voter registration.
Mr. Livingston moved to recommit with instructions to the conference committee.
The previous question was ordered without objection.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on the conference report.
Mr. Swift brought up conference report H. Rept. 103-66 for consideration under the provisions of H. Res. 163.
Rule H. Res. 163 passed House.
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 163 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of the conference report to H.R. 2. During consideration of the conference report to accompany H.R. 2, points of order against the conference report for failure to comply with clause 3 of rule XXVIII are waived.
Conference papers: Senate report and managers' statement held at the desk in Senate.
Conference report H. Rept. 103-66 filed. (text of conference report: CR H2078-2084)
Conference report filed: Conference report H. Rept. 103-66 filed.(text of conference report: CR H2078-2084)
Conferees agreed to file conference report.
Conference committee actions: Conferees agreed to file conference report.
Conference held.
Conference committee actions: Conference held.
The Speaker appointed conferees: Rose, Swift, Frost, Hoyer, Kleczka, Conyers, Thomas (CA), Livingston, and Roberts.
On motion that the House instruct conferees Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 192 - 222 (Roll No. 129). (consideration: CR H1823-1829)
House roll call 129 · Individual votesThe previous question was ordered without objection.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on the motion to instruct conferees on the part of the House to accept the language of the Senate amendment, which would permit, but not mandate, the designation of certain state offices as voter registration agencies; and the Senate language regarding registration at polling places on election day.
Mr. Thomas (CA) moved that the House instruct conferees.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion that the House disagree to the Senate amendment, and agree to a conference Agreed to without objection. (consideration: CR H1823)
Mr. Swift asked unanimous consent that the House disagree to the Senate amendment, and agree to a conference.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Senate appointed conferees Ford; Pell; Inouye; McConnell; Warner.
Senate insisted on its amendment, requested a conference. (consideration: CR S3007)
Passed Senate in lieu of S. 460 with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 62-37. Record Vote No: 38.
Senate roll call 38 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate in lieu of S. 460 with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 62-37. Record Vote No: 38.
Senate roll call 38 · Individual votesSenate struck all after the Enacting Clause and substituted the language of S. 460 amended.
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S3003-3004)
Senate Committee on Rules discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Senate Committee on Rules discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On passage Passed by recorded vote: 259 - 160 (Roll no. 26).
House roll call 26 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 259 - 160 (Roll no. 26).
House roll call 26 · Individual votesOn motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 166 - 253 (Roll no. 25).
House roll call 25 · Individual votesThe previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with ten minutes of debate on the Thomas of California motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the Thomas motion would require the Committee on House Administration to report the bill back to the House with an amendment which strikes lines 15 through 24 on page 29 and inserts a new section 13. The new section contains language which seeks to impose certification procedures upon voter registration processes under the bill. The new section also seeks to impose a requirement upon the chief election officials of States to report to the Attorney General that sufficient procedures exist in their States to prevent persons who do not have United States citizenship from being registered to vote. Such certifications would then be forwarded to the Attorney General no later than Jan. 1, 1996.
Mr. Thomas (CA) moved to recommit with instructions to House Administration.
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 2.
GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate.
The Speaker designated the Honorable Jim McDermott to act as Chairman of the Committee.
House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 59 and Rule XXIII.
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit. All points of order against consideration of the bill for failure to comply with clause 2(l)(6) of rule XI are waived. The amendments recommended by the Committee on House Administration now printed in the bill and the amendment printed in part 1 of the report of the Committee on Rules accompanying this resolution shall be considered as adopted in the House and in the Committee of the Whole. Measure will be considered read. A specified amendment is in order.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 59. (consideration: CR H505-529)
Rule H. Res. 59 passed House.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H488-492, H494-495)
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 59 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit. All points of order against consideration of the bill for failure to comply with clause 2(l)(6) of rule XI are waived. The amendments recommended by the Committee on House Administration now printed in the bill and the amendment printed in part 1 of the report of the Committee on Rules accompanying this resolution shall be considered as adopted in the House and in the Committee of the Whole. Measure will be considered read. A specified amendment is in order.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 2.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on House Administration. H. Rept. 103-9.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on House Administration. H. Rept. 103-9.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 9 - 3.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee.
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
AMENDMENTS TO LEGISLATION - Mr. Moakley notified the House that Members wishing to offer amendments to the bill should submit 55 copies of proposed amendments to the Committee on Rules, room H 312, Capitol, by Noon on February 1st.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Elections.
Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E17-18)
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
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Analyze H.R.2 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.
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