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) In general. Subtitle A of title III of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21081 et seq.), as amended by section 131(a), section 201(a), section 202(a), section 203(a)(1), section 204(a), section 801(a), section 901(a), section 902(a), section 903(b), and section 904(a), is amended—
(1) by redesignating sections 315 and 316 as sections 317 and 318, respectively; and
(2) by inserting after section 314 the following new section:
315. Ensuring equitable and efficient operation of polling places
(a) Preventing unreasonable waiting times for voters
(1) In general. Each State shall provide a sufficient number of voting systems, poll workers, and other election resources (including physical resources) at a polling place used in any election for Federal office, including a polling place at which individuals may cast ballots prior to the date of the election, to ensure—
(A) a fair and equitable waiting time for all voters in the State; and
(B) that no individual will be required to wait longer than 30 minutes to cast a ballot at the polling place.
(2) Criteria. In determining the number of voting systems, poll workers, and other election resources provided at a polling place for purposes of paragraph (1), the State shall take into account the following factors:
(A) The voting age population.
(B) Voter turnout in past elections.
(C) The number of voters registered.
(D) The number of voters who have registered since the most recent Federal election.
(E) Census data for the population served by the polling place, such as the proportion of the voting-age population who are under 25 years of age or who are naturalized citizens.
(F) The needs and numbers of voters with disabilities and voters with limited English proficiency.
(G) The type of voting systems used.
(H) The length and complexity of initiatives, referenda, and other questions on the ballot.
(I) Such other factors, including relevant demographic factors relating to the population served by the polling place, as the State considers appropriate.
(3) Rule of construction. Nothing in this subsection may be construed to authorize a State to meet the requirements of this subsection by closing any polling place, prohibiting an individual from entering a line at a polling place, or refusing to permit an individual who has arrived at a polling place prior to closing time from voting at the polling place.
(4) Guidelines. Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this section, the Commission shall establish and publish guidelines to assist States in meeting the requirements of this subsection.
(5) Effective date. This subsection shall take effect upon the expiration of the 180-day period which begins on the date of the enactment of this subsection, without regard to whether or not the Commission has established and published guidelines under paragraph (4).
(b) Limiting variations on number of hours of operation of polling places within a State
(1) Limitation
(A) In general. Except as provided in subparagraph (B) and paragraph (2), each State shall establish hours of operation for all polling places in the State on the date of any election for Federal office held in the State such that the polling place with the greatest number of hours of operation on such date is not in operation for more than 2 hours longer than the polling place with the fewest number of hours of operation on such date.
(B) Permitting variance on basis of population. Subparagraph (A) does not apply to the extent that the State establishes variations in the hours of operation of polling places on the basis of the overall population or the voting age population (as the State may select) of the unit of local government in which such polling places are located.
(2) Exceptions for polling places with hours established by units of local government. Paragraph (1) does not apply in the case of a polling place—
(A) whose hours of operation are established, in accordance with State law, by the unit of local government in which the polling place is located; or
(B) which is required pursuant to an order by a court to extend its hours of operation beyond the hours otherwise established.
(b) Clerical amendments. The table of contents of such Act, as amended by section 131(c), section 201(d), section 202(c), section 203(a)(3), section 204(c), section 801(c), section 901(c), section 902(c), section 903(b), and section 904(a), is amended—
(1) by redesignating the items relating to sections 315 and 316 as relating to sections 316 and 317, respectively; and
(2) by inserting after the item relating to section 314 the following new item:
Sec. 315. Ensuring equitable and efficient operation of polling places.
B Disaster and Emergency Contingency Plans
C Improvements in Operation of Election Assistance Commission
D Miscellaneous Provisions
XV Severability