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
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
(a) Requirements. 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), section 203(a)(1), and section 204(a), is amended—
(1) by redesignating sections 310 and 311 as sections 311 and 312, respectively; and
(2) by inserting after section 309 the following new section:
310. Early voting
(a) Requiring Voting Prior to Date of Election
(1) In general. Each State shall allow individuals to vote in an election for Federal office during an early voting period which occurs prior to the date of the election, in the same manner as voting is allowed on such date.
(2) Length of period. The early voting period required under this subsection with respect to an election shall consist of a period of consecutive days (including weekends) which begins on the 15th day before the date of the election (or, at the option of the State, on a day prior to the 15th day before the date of the election) and ends on the date of the election.
(b) Minimum early voting requirements. Each polling place which allows voting during an early voting period under subsection (a) shall—
(1) allow such voting for no less than 10 hours on each day;
(2) have uniform hours each day for which such voting occurs; and
(3) allow such voting to be held for some period of time prior to 9:00 a.m (local time) and some period of time after 5:00 p.m. (local time).
(c) Location of polling places
(1) Proximity to public transportation. To the greatest extent practicable, a State shall ensure that each polling place which allows voting during an early voting period under subsection (a) is located within walking distance of a stop on a public transportation route.
(2) Availability in rural areas. The State shall ensure that polling places which allow voting during an early voting period under subsection (a) will be located in rural areas of the State, and shall ensure that such polling places are located in communities which will provide the greatest opportunity for residents of rural areas to vote during the early voting period.
(d) Standards
(1) In general. The Commission shall issue standards for the administration of voting prior to the day scheduled for a Federal election. Such standards shall include the nondiscriminatory geographic placement of polling places at which such voting occurs.
(2) Deviation. The standards described in paragraph (1) shall permit States, upon providing adequate public notice, to deviate from any requirement in the case of unforeseen circumstances such as a natural disaster, terrorist attack, or a change in voter turnout.
(e) Ballot processing and scanning requirements
(1) In general. The State shall begin processing and scanning ballots cast during in-person early voting for tabulation at least 14 days prior to the date of the election involved.
(2) Limitation. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to permit a State to tabulate ballots in an election before the closing of the polls on the date of the election.
(f) Effective date. This section shall apply with respect to the regularly scheduled general election for Federal office held in November 2028 and each succeeding election for Federal office.
(b) Conforming amendments relating to issuance of voluntary guidance by Election Assistance Commission. Section 321(b) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 21101(b)), as redesignated and amended by section 201(b), is amended—
(1) by striking and at the end of paragraph (3);
(2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (4) and inserting ; and; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
(5) except as provided in paragraph (4), in the case of the recommendations with respect to any section added by the Voter Empowerment Act of 2026, June 30, 2026.
(c) Clerical amendments. The table of contents of such Act, as amended by section 131(c), section 201(d), section 202(c), section 203(a)(3), and section 204(c), is amended—
(1) by redesignating the items relating to sections 310 and 311 as relating to sections 311 and 312, respectively; and
(2) by inserting after the item relating to section 309 the following new item:
Sec. 310. 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