H.R. 8078
Voter Empowerment Act of 2026
Sponsor: James E. Clyburn
3 cosponsors
Official summary
Written by the Congressional Research Service.
Voter Empowerment Act of 2026
This bill expands voter registration and voting access.
Specifically, the bill expands voter registration by requiring states to (1) make available online voter registration, (2) establish automatic voter registration systems, (3) permit same-day voter registration, and (4) accept voter registration applications from individuals under age 18.
Further, the bill limits removing voters from voter rolls and prohibits interference with voter registration or voting.
Next, the bill requires states to allow individuals with disabilities to use absentee registration procedures and to vote by absentee ballot in federal elections.
The bill also prohibits voter caging (the practice of sending mail to addresses on voter rolls, compiling a list of the undeliverable mail, and using the list to remove registered voters from voter rolls).
Next, the bill expands voting access by requiring states to allow early voting and voting by mail without additional conditions. It also requires states to provide secured drop boxes at which individuals may drop off their completed absentee ballots.
In addition, the bill declares that the right of a U.S. citizen to vote in any federal election shall not be denied or abridged because that individual has been convicted of a criminal offense unless, at the time of the election, such individual is serving a felony sentence.
Finally, the bill permanently reauthorizes the Election Assistance Commission (EAC). It also directs the EAC to make grants to states for specified activities, including to implement automatic voter registration systems.
Text of the bill
I Voter Registration Modernization
A Promoting Internet Registration
B Automatic Voter Registration
C Same Day Voter Registration
D Conditions on Removal on Basis of Interstate Cross-Checks
E Other Initiatives To Promote Voter Registration
F Availability of HAVA Requirements Payments
G Prohibiting Interference With Voter Registration
H Voter Registration Efficiency Act
I Providing Voter Registration Information to Secondary School Students
J Voter Registration of Minors
II Access to Voting for Individuals With Disabilities
III Prohibiting Voter Caging
IV Prohibiting Deceptive Practices and Preventing Voter Intimidation
V Democracy Restoration
VI Promoting Accuracy, Integrity, and Security Through Voter-Verified Permanent Paper Ballot
VII Provisional Ballots
VIII Early Voting
IX Voting by Mail
X Absent Uniformed Services Voters and Overseas Voters
XI Poll Worker Recruitment and Training
XII Enhancement of Enforcement
XIII Federal Election Integrity
(a) In General. Title III of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (52 U.S.C. 30101 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 319 the following new section:
319A. Campaign activities by chief State election administration officials
(a) Prohibition. It shall be unlawful for a chief State election administration official to take an active part in political management or in a political campaign with respect to any election for Federal office over which such official has supervisory authority.
(b) Chief State election administration official. The term chief State election administration official means the highest State official with responsibility for the administration of Federal elections under State law.
(c) Active part in political management or in a political campaign. The term active part in political management or in a political campaign means—
(1) holding any position (including any unpaid or honorary position) with an authorized committee of a candidate, or participating in any decision-making of an authorized committee of a candidate;
(2) the use of official authority or influence for the purpose of interfering with or affecting the result of an election for Federal office;
(3) the solicitation, acceptance, or receipt of a contribution from any person on behalf of a candidate for Federal office; and
(4) any other act which would be prohibited under paragraph (2) or (3) of section 7323(b) of title 5, United States Code, if taken by an individual to whom such paragraph applies (other than any prohibition on running for public office).
(d) Exception in case of recusal from administration of elections involving official or immediate family member
(1) In general. This section does not apply to a chief State election administration official with respect to an election for Federal office in which the official or an immediate family member of the official is a candidate, but only if—
(A) such official recuses himself or herself from all of the official’s responsibilities for the administration of such election; and
(B) the official who assumes responsibility for supervising the administration of the election does not report directly to such official.
(2) Immediate family member defined. In paragraph (1), the term immediate family member means, with respect to a candidate, a father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister, husband, wife, father-in-law, or mother-in-law.
(b) Effective Date. The amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to elections for Federal office held after December 2026.
XIV Promoting Voter Access Through Election Administration Improvements
A Promoting Voter Access
B Disaster and Emergency Contingency Plans
C Improvements in Operation of Election Assistance Commission
D Miscellaneous Provisions
XV Severability