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
(a) Requirement
(1) 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), and section 202(a), is amended—
(A) by redesignating sections 308 and 309 as sections 309 and 310, respectively; and
(B) by inserting after section 307 the following:
308. Access to voting for individuals with disabilities and older individuals
(a) In general. Each State shall—
(1) ensure all polling places within the State are accessible, as defined in section 307;
(2) consider procedures to address long wait times at polling places that allow individuals with disabilities and older individuals alternate options to cast a ballot in person in an election for Federal office, such as the option to cast a ballot outside of the polling place or from a vehicle, or providing an expedited voting line; and
(3) consider options to establish mobile polling sites to allow election officials or volunteers to travel to long-term care facilities and assist residents who request assistance in casting a ballot in order to maintain the privacy and independence of voters in these facilities.
(b) Clarification. Nothing in this section may be construed to alter the requirements under Federal law that all polling places for Federal elections are accessible to individuals with disabilities and older individuals.
(c) Effective date. This section shall apply with respect to elections for Federal office held on or after January 1, 2029.
(2) Voluntary guidance. Section 321(b)(4) such Act (52 U.S.C. 21101(b)), as added and redesignated by section 201(b) and as amended by section 202, is amended by striking and 307 and inserting , 307, and 308.
(3) Clerical amendments. The table of contents of such Act, as amended by section 131(c), section 201(c), and section 202(c), is amended—
(A) by redesignating the items relating to sections 308 and 309 as relating to sections 309 and 310, respectively; and
(B) by inserting after the item relating to section 307 the following new item:
Sec. 308. Access to voting for individuals with disabilities and older individuals.
(b) Revisions to Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act
(1) Reports to Election Assistance Commission. Section 3(c) of the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act (52 U.S.C. 20102(c)) is amended—
(A) in the subsection heading, by striking Federal Election Commission and inserting Election Assistance Commission;
(B) in each of paragraphs (1) and (2), by striking Federal Election Commission and inserting Election Assistance Commission; and
(C) by striking paragraph (3).
(2) Conforming amendments relating to references. The Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act (52 U.S.C. 20101 et seq.), as amended by paragraph (1), is amended—
(A) by striking handicapped and elderly individuals each place it appears and inserting individuals with disabilities and older individuals;
(B) by striking handicapped and elderly voters each place it appears and inserting individuals with disabilities and older individuals;
(C) in section 3(b)(2)(B), by striking handicapped or elderly voter and inserting individual with a disability or older individual;
(D) in section 5(b), by striking handicapped voter and inserting individual with a disability; and
(E) in section 8—
(i) by striking paragraphs (1) and (2) and inserting the following:
(1) accessible has the meaning given that term in section 307 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002, as added by section 202(a) of the Voter Empowerment Act of 2026;
(2) older individual has the meaning given that term in such section 307;
; and
(ii) by striking paragraph (4), and inserting the following:
(4) individual with a disability has the meaning given that term in such section 307; and
(3) Short title amendment
(A) In general. Section 1 of the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act (Public Law 98–435; 42 U.S.C. 1973ee note) is amended by striking for the Elderly and Handicapped and inserting for Individuals with Disabilities and Older Individuals.
(B) References. Any reference in any other provision of law, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act shall be deemed to be a reference to the Voting Accessibility for Individuals with Disabilities and Older Individuals Act.
(4) Effective date. The amendments made by this subsection shall take effect on January 1, 2029, and apply to with respect to elections for Federal office held on or after that date.
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