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
IX Voting by Mail
(a) Postmark required for ballots
(1) In general. Chapter 34 of title 39, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
3407. Postmark required for ballots
(a) In general. In the case of any absentee ballot carried by the Postal Service, the Postal Service shall indicate on the ballot envelope, using a postmark or otherwise—
(1) the fact that the ballot was carried by the Postal Service; and
(2) the date on which the ballot was mailed.
(b) Definitions. As used in this section—
(1) the term absentee ballot means any ballot transmitted by a voter by mail in an election for Federal office, but does not include any ballot covered by section 3406; and
(2) the term election for Federal office means a general, special, primary, or runoff election for the office of President or Vice President, or of Senator or Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress.
(2) Technical and conforming amendment. The table of sections for chapter 34 of title 39, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
3407. Postmark required for ballots.
(3) Effective date. The amendments made by this subsection shall apply to absentee ballots relating to an election for Federal office occurring on or after January 1, 2027.
(b) Greater visibility for ballots
(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), section 202(a), section 203(a)(1), section 204(a), section 801(a), section 901(a), and section 902(a), is amended—
(A) by redesignating sections 313 and 314 as sections 314 and 315, respectively; and
(B) by inserting after section 312 the following new section:
313. Ballot visibility
(a) In general. Each State or local election official shall—
(1) affix Tag 191, Domestic and International Mail-In Ballots (or any successor tag designated by the United States Postal Service), to any tray or sack of ballot mail relating to an election for Federal office that is destined for a domestic or international address;
(2) use the Official Election Mail logo to designate mail pieces relating to an election for Federal office that is destined for a domestic or international address; and
(3) if an intelligent mail barcode is utilized for any mail relating to an election for Federal office that is destined for a domestic or international address, ensure the specific ballot service type identifier for such mail is visible.
(b) Effective date. The requirements of this section shall apply to elections for Federal office occurring on and after January 1, 2027.
(2) 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), section 204(c), section 801(c), section 901(b) and section 902(c), is amended—
(A) by redesignating the items relating to sections 313 and 314 as relating to sections 314 and 315; and
(B) by inserting after the item relating to section 312 the following new item:
Sec. 313. Ballot visibility.
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