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

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

J Voter Registration of Minors

Sec. 194. Acceptance of voter registration applications from individuals under 18 years of age

II Access to Voting for Individuals With Disabilities

Sec. 201. Requirements for States to promote access to voter registration and voting for individuals with disabilities

Sec. 202. Establishment and maintenance of State accessible election websites

Sec. 203. Protections for in-person voting for individuals with disabilities and older individuals

Sec. 204. Protections for individuals subject to guardianship

(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), and section 203(a)(1), is amended—

(1) by redesignating sections 309 and 310 as sections 310 and 311, respectively; and

(2) by inserting after section 308 the following:

Text this section adds to the law

309. Protections for individuals subject to guardianship

(a) In general. A State shall not determine that an individual lacks the capacity to vote in an election for Federal office on the ground that the individual is subject to guardianship, unless a court of competent jurisdiction issues a court order finding by clear and convincing evidence that the individual cannot communicate, with or without accommodations, a desire to participate in the voting process.

(b) Effective date. This section shall apply with respect to elections for Federal office held on or after January 1, 2027.

(b) 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 sections 202 and 203, is amended by striking and 308 and inserting 308, and 309.

(c) Clerical amendments. The table of contents of such Act, as amended by section 131(c), section 201(c), section 202(c), and section 203(a)(3), is amended—

(1) by redesignating the items relating to sections 309 and 310 as relating to sections 310 and 311, respectively; and

(2) by inserting after the item relating to section 308 the following new item:

Text this section adds to the law

Sec. 309. Protections for individuals subject to guardianship.

Sec. 205. Expansion and reauthorization of grant program to assure voting access for individuals with disabilities

Sec. 206. Appointments to EAC Board of Advisors

Sec. 207. Pilot programs for enabling individuals with disabilities to register to vote privately and independently at residences

Sec. 208. GAO analysis and report on voting access for individuals with disabilities

III Prohibiting Voter Caging

Sec. 301. Voter caging and other questionable challenges prohibited

Sec. 302. Development and adoption of best practices for preventing voter caging

IV Prohibiting Deceptive Practices and Preventing Voter Intimidation