H.R. 8078

Voter Empowerment Act of 2026

3 cosponsors

Where it stands

Introduced Mar 25
Committee Now
House of Representatives —
Senate —
Law —

Introduced Mar 25
Committee Now
House of Representatives —
Senate —
Law —

Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Oversight and Government Reform, Science, Space, and Technology, Education and Workforce, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. (Mar 25)

Votes

No roll-call votes yet.

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

Expand all

Sec. 1. Short title; statement of policy

Sec. 2. Table of contents

I Voter Registration Modernization

Sec. 100. Short title

A Promoting Internet Registration

Sec. 101. Requiring availability of internet for voter registration

Sec. 102. Use of internet to update registration information

Sec. 103. Provision of election information by electronic mail to individuals registered to vote

Sec. 104. Clarification of requirement regarding necessary information to show eligibility to vote

Sec. 105. Prohibiting State from requiring applicants to provide more than last 4 digits of Social Security number

Sec. 106. Application of rules to certain exempt States

Sec. 107. Effective date

B Automatic Voter Registration

Sec. 111. Short title; findings and purpose

Sec. 112. Automatic registration of eligible individuals

Sec. 113. Contributing agency assistance in registration

Sec. 114. One-time contributing agency assistance in registration of eligible voters in existing records

Sec. 115. Voter protection and security in automatic registration

Sec. 116. Registration portability and correction

Sec. 117. Payments and grants

Sec. 118. Treatment of exempt States

Sec. 119. Miscellaneous provisions

Sec. 120. Definitions

Sec. 121. Effective date

C Same Day Voter Registration

Sec. 131. Same day registration

D Conditions on Removal on Basis of Interstate Cross-Checks

Sec. 141. Conditions on removal of registrants from official list of eligible voters on basis of interstate cross-checks

E Other Initiatives To Promote Voter Registration

Sec. 151. Biennial reports on voter registration statistics

Sec. 152. Ensuring pre-election registration deadlines are consistent with timing of legal public holidays

Sec. 153. Use of Postal Service hard copy change of address form to remind individuals to update voter registration

Sec. 154. Grants to States for activities to encourage involvement of minors in election activities

(a) Grants

(1) In general. The Election Assistance Commission (hereafter in this section referred to as the Commission) shall make grants to eligible States to enable such States to carry out a plan to increase the involvement of individuals under 18 years of age in public election activities in the State.

(2) Contents of plans. A State’s plan under this subsection shall include—

(A) methods to promote the use of pre-registration processes;

(B) modifications to the curriculum of secondary schools in the State to promote civic engagement; and

(C) such other activities to encourage the involvement of young people in the electoral process as the State considers appropriate.

(b) Eligibility. A State is eligible to receive a grant under this section if the State submits to the Commission, at such time and in such form as the Commission may require, an application containing—

(1) a description of the State’s plan under subsection (a);

(2) a description of the performance measures and targets the State will use to determine its success in carrying out the plan; and

(3) such other information and assurances as the Commission may require.

(c) Period of grant; Report

(1) Period of grant. A State receiving a grant under this section shall use the funds provided by the grant over a 2-year period agreed to between the State and the Commission.

(2) Report. Not later than 6 months after the end of the 2-year period agreed to under paragraph (1), the State shall submit to the Commission a report on the activities the State carried out with the funds provided by the grant, and shall include in the report an analysis of the extent to which the State met the performance measures and targets included in its application under subsection (b)(2).

(d) State defined. In this section, the term State means each of the several States and the District of Columbia.

(e) Authorization of appropriations. There are authorized to be appropriated for grants under this section $25,000,000, to remain available until expended.

F Availability of HAVA Requirements Payments

Sec. 161. Availability of requirements payments under HAVA to cover costs of compliance with new requirements

G Prohibiting Interference With Voter Registration

Sec. 171. Prohibiting hindering, interfering with, or preventing voter registration

Sec. 172. Establishment of best practices

H Voter Registration Efficiency Act

Sec. 181. Short title

Sec. 182. Requiring applicants for motor vehicle driver’s licenses in new State to indicate whether State serves as residence for voter registration purposes

I Providing Voter Registration Information to Secondary School Students

Sec. 191. Pilot program for providing voter registration information to secondary school students prior to graduation

Sec. 192. Reports

Sec. 193. Authorization of appropriations