Voter Access Protection Act of 2017

Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jan 23, 2017

Voter Access Protection Act of 2017

This bill amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to prohibit a state or local election official from requiring an individual to: (1) present a photo identification (or a copy if voting by mail) as a condition for receiving or casting a ballot in any election for federal office, or (2) cast a provisional ballot solely on the grounds that the individual does not present a photo identification at the polling place.

A state or local election election official is prohibited from requiring an individual to provide a photo identification (or a copy if registering by mail) as a condition of registering to vote in an election for federal office.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Ellison, Keith [D-MN-5] · D–MN

Committees

Committee on House Administration

2 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Jan 23, 2017
Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
Jan 23, 2017
Introduced in House
Jan 23, 2017
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Jan 23, 2017 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

HR 3277 · Voter Access Protection Act of 2015

Source last updated: Aug 11, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

AI Conversation Starters

Explore the bill from different angles

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.607 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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Discuss H.R.607, 115th Congress: Voter Access Protection Act of 2017

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/607

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2017-01-23.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/hr607/BILLS-115hr607ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-11T16:31:35Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.607 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.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.607 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.

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Discuss H.R.607, 115th Congress: Voter Access Protection Act of 2017

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/607

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2017-01-23.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/hr607/BILLS-115hr607ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-11T16:31:35Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.607 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.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.607 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.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.607, 115th Congress: Voter Access Protection Act of 2017

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/607

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2017-01-23.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/hr607/BILLS-115hr607ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-11T16:31:35Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.607 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.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.607 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.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.607, 115th Congress: Voter Access Protection Act of 2017

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/607

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2017-01-23.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/hr607/BILLS-115hr607ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-11T16:31:35Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.607 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.