H.R. 8078

Voter Empowerment Act of 2026

Sponsor: James E. Clyburn

3 cosponsors
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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

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

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

(a) Pilot program. The Election Assistance Commission (hereafter in this subtitle referred to as the Commission) shall carry out a pilot program under which the Commission shall provide funds during the one-year period beginning after the date of the enactment of this subtitle to eligible local educational agencies for initiatives to provide information on registering to vote in elections for public office to secondary school students in the 12th grade.

(b) Eligibility. A local educational agency is eligible to receive funds under the pilot program under this subtitle if the agency submits to the Commission, at such time and in such form as the Commission may require, an application containing—

(1) a description of the initiatives the agency intends to carry out with the funds;

(2) an estimate of the costs associated with such initiatives; and

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

(c) Consultation with election officials. A local educational agency receiving funds under the pilot program shall consult with the State and local election officials who are responsible for administering elections for public office in the area served by the agency in developing the initiatives the agency will carry out with the funds.

(d) Definitions. In this subtitle, the terms local educational agency and secondary school have the meanings given such terms in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).

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

B Disaster and Emergency Contingency Plans

C Improvements in Operation of Election Assistance Commission

D Miscellaneous Provisions

XV Severability