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
XIV Promoting Voter Access Through Election Administration Improvements
A Promoting Voter Access
(a) Permitting use of statement. Title III of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21081 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 303 the following new section:
303A. Permitting use of sworn written statement or student identification card to meet identification requirements
(a) Use of statement or student identification card
(1) In general. Except as provided in subsection (c), if a State has in effect any requirement that an individual present identification as a condition of receiving and casting a ballot in an election for Federal office, the State shall permit the individual to meet the requirement—
(A) in the case of an individual who desires to vote in person, by presenting the appropriate State or local election official with—
(i) a sworn written statement, signed by the individual under penalty of perjury, attesting to the individual’s identity and attesting that the individual is eligible to vote in the election; or
(ii) if such individual is a student enrolled at an institution of higher education (as defined under section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002)), a student identification card assigned to the individual from an institution of higher education; or
(B) in the case of an individual who desires to vote by mail, by submitting with the ballot—
(i) the statement described in subparagraph (A)(i); or
(ii) if such individual is a student enrolled at an institution of higher education (as so defined), a copy of the student identification card described in subparagraph (A)(ii).
(2) Development of pre-printed version of statement by Commission. The Commission shall develop a pre-printed version of the statement described in paragraph (1)(A)(i) which includes a blank space for an individual to provide a name and signature for use by election officials in States which are subject to paragraph (1).
(3) Providing pre-printed copy of statement. A State which is subject to paragraph (1) shall—
(A) make copies of the pre-printed version of the statement described in paragraph (1)(A)(i) which is prepared by the Commission available at polling places for election officials to distribute to individuals who desire to vote in person; and
(B) include a copy of such pre-printed version of the statement with each blank absentee or other ballot transmitted to an individual who desires to vote by mail.
(b) Requiring use of ballot in same manner as individuals presenting identification. An individual who presents or submits a sworn written statement or presents a student identification card in accordance with subsection (a)(1) shall be permitted to cast a ballot in the election in the same manner as an individual who presents identification.
(c) Exception for first-Time voters registering by mail. Subsections (a) and (b) do not apply with respect to any individual described in paragraph (1) of section 303(b) who is required to meet the requirements of paragraph (2) of such section.
(b) Requiring States To include information on use of sworn written statement and student identification card in voting information material posted at polling places. Section 302(b)(2) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 21082(b)(2)), as amended by section 172(b) and section 302(b), is amended—
(1) by striking and at the end of subparagraph (G);
(2) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (H) and inserting ; and; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
(I) in the case of a State that has in effect any requirement that an individual present identification as a condition of receiving and casting a ballot in an election for Federal office, information on how an individual may meet such requirement by presenting a sworn written statement or student identification card in accordance with section 303A.
(c) Clerical amendment. The table of contents of such Act is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 303 the following new item:
Sec. 303A. Permitting use of sworn written statement or student identification card to meet identification requirements.
(d) Effective date. The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to elections occurring on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.
B Disaster and Emergency Contingency Plans
C Improvements in Operation of Election Assistance Commission
D Miscellaneous Provisions
XV Severability