S.2: National Voter Registration Act of 1993

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Jan 21, 1993

National Voter Registration Act of 1993 - Requires States to establish procedures with respect to presidential and congressional elections to permit voter registration by: (1) application in person simultaneously with application for a motor vehicle driver's license; (2) mail application; or (3) application in person at designated Federal, State, or nongovernmental office locations. Declares that this Act does not apply to any State that has no voter registration requirement with respect to elections for Federal office, or in which voters may register at the polling place at the time of a general election for Federal office. 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. Directs the Federal Election Commission to develop a mail voter registration application form for Federal elections. Provides a private right of action for an individual aggrieved by a violation of this Act. Imposes criminal penalties for specified violations of this Act.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. Ford, Wendell H. [D-KY] · D–KY

Committees

Rules and Administration Committee

38 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 21, 1993
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules.
Jan 21, 1993
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S219-220)
Jan 21, 1993
Introduced in Senate

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

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

Introduced in Senate · Jan 21, 1993 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

HR 2 · National Voter Registration Act of 1993

Source last updated: Aug 26, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

AI Conversation Starters

Explore the bill from different angles

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.

Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze S.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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Discuss S.2, 103rd Congress: National Voter Registration Act of 1993

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/senate-bill/2

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1993-01-21.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/s2/BILLS-103s2is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-26T13:52:17Z. 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 S.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.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine S.2 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.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.2, 103rd Congress: National Voter Registration Act of 1993

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/senate-bill/2

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1993-01-21.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/s2/BILLS-103s2is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-26T13:52:17Z. 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 S.2 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 S.2 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 S.2, 103rd Congress: National Voter Registration Act of 1993

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/senate-bill/2

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1993-01-21.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/s2/BILLS-103s2is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-26T13:52:17Z. 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 S.2 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 S.2 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 S.2, 103rd Congress: National Voter Registration Act of 1993

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/senate-bill/2

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1993-01-21.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/s2/BILLS-103s2is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-26T13:52:17Z. 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 S.2 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.