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

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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

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

(a) Establishment of pilot programs. The Election Assistance Commission (hereafter referred to as the Commission) shall, subject to the availability of appropriations to carry out this section, make grants to eligible States to conduct pilot programs under which individuals with disabilities may use electronic means (including the internet and telephones utilizing assistive devices) to register to vote and to request and receive absentee ballots in a manner which permits such individuals to do so privately and independently at their own residences.

(b) Reports

(1) In general. A State receiving a grant for a year under this section shall submit a report to the Commission on the pilot programs the State carried out with the grant with respect to elections for public office held in the State during the year.

(2) Deadline. A State shall submit a report under paragraph (1) not later than 90 days after the last election for public office held in the State during the year.

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

(d) Timing. The Commission shall make the first grants under this section for pilot programs which will be in effect with respect to elections for Federal office held in 2027, or, at the option of a State, with respect to other elections for public office held in the State in 2027.

(e) State defined. In this section, the term State includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

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