Make Elections Great Again Act
Sponsored By: Representative Steil
Introduced
Summary
Strengthens voter eligibility verification and reshapes federal rules for federal elections. It adds national photo-ID and documentary-citizenship checks, creates a single statewide computerized voter list, and tightens mail-ballot, registration, and ballot-handling rules.
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- Voters and households: In-person federal ballots require a valid photo ID for elections in 2027 or later, and provisional ballots must be cured by presenting ID within 3 days or an affidavit for a religious objection. Mail ballots must include a copy of photo ID or last four Social Security digits plus an affidavit if a voter cannot obtain ID.
- States and election officials: States must run a single, official statewide computerized voter registration list and verify documentary proof of U.S. citizenship. Compliance is required by Jan 1, 2027 with a limited waiver to 2028, and some HAVA audit and funding changes begin in FY2026.
- Election administration and ballot rules: The bill requires voter-verifiable paper ballots about a month after enactment and bans ranked-choice voting for federal general elections. It also limits possession and delivery of others' mail ballots and creates criminal penalties up to $25,000 and 5 years in prison.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 3 mixed.
New photo ID rules for ballots
If enacted, federal in-person voters would normally need to show a valid government photo ID to get a federal ballot. Without ID, you could cast a provisional ballot but would have 3 days to show the ID or file an affidavit saying you object to being photographed for religious reasons. For mail or other non‑in‑person ballots, you would have to provide a copy of a photo ID or the last four digits of your Social Security number plus a State affidavit saying you tried but could not get an ID. These photo‑ID rules would apply to Federal elections in 2027 and later, and States must try to let people copy IDs for free at government locations.
Tighter rules for mail voting
If enacted, States could send a mail ballot only after you request one on a standard form that must arrive at least 30 days before the election. Ballot envelopes would need a Postal Service tracking barcode and meet machineability rules. Mail ballots generally must be received by the time polls close on election day to count (except overseas/military voters). States could process ballots early (no earlier than 22 days before the election) but not count them until polls close. The bill would limit who can hold or return others' ballots (generally immediate family or caregiver), cap possession at four non‑associated ballots, require ID and an affidavit when returning another person's ballot, and create criminal penalties (up to $25,000 fine and/or 5 years in prison) for paid or knowing violations. Counties must keep certain mail‑ballot forms for at least two years.
Centralized lists, data sharing, and enforcement
If enacted, each State would have to use one official statewide computerized voter list and assign a unique ID to each voter by January 1, 2027 (with a possible waiver to January 1, 2028). States would be required to match and share data with motor vehicle agencies, Social Security, the Department of Justice, and DHS, verify registration information at least every 30 days, and remove people found ineligible (including noncitizens or felons) with notice and an opportunity to cure. Federal agencies and U.S. Attorneys would have tight reporting timelines (24 hours where authorized) and must notify States about federal felony convictions. The Attorney General would have to certify a State‑AG fraud‑sharing agreement as a condition for Federal election funding starting in FY2026, and DOJ could bring civil enforcement suits. The bill would also repeal specific NVRA and HAVA sections noted in the text.
Paper ballots, audits, and voting rules
If enacted, Federal elections would require voter‑verifiable paper ballots and every in‑person site would offer a printed ballot you can mark by hand. The paper ballot would be the official ballot for recounts and audits, and States could use HAVA requirements payments to run post‑election audits (starting FY2026) if audits are released before any challenge deadline. The bill would expand required record preservation (audit logs, ballot images, chain‑of‑custody, and more) and would ban ranked‑choice or any system that lets voters rank or transfer votes. The EAC would write rules, produce a mail registration form, and issue implementation guidance on these points.
Stricter citizenship proof for registering
If enacted, States would require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship to register for Federal elections for new registrations (with many rules applying on or after January 1, 2027). The national mail form would ask for proof and an attestation under penalty of perjury. States must adopt a process and an EAC uniform affidavit for applicants who lack listed documents so an official can decide and sign an explanation when registration is granted. The bill would also make the development of voter registration materials exempt from the Paperwork Reduction Act, let some States opt out by adopting identical rules within 60 days, and ban most Federal agencies from registering people or using agency funds to hire groups to run registration drives. It would add criminal liability for officials who assist noncitizens to register or for registering someone without required documentary proof.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Steil
WI • R
Cosponsors
Miller (IL)
IL • R
Sponsored 1/30/2026
Murphy
NC • R
Sponsored 1/30/2026
Carey
OH • R
Sponsored 1/30/2026
Tiffany
WI • R
Sponsored 1/30/2026
Van Orden
WI • R
Sponsored 1/30/2026
Begich
AK • R
Sponsored 1/30/2026
Bice
OK • R
Sponsored 1/30/2026
Gonzales, Tony
TX • R
Sponsored 1/30/2026
Bresnahan
PA • R
Sponsored 1/30/2026
Fong
CA • R
Sponsored 1/30/2026
Edwards
NC • R
Sponsored 1/30/2026
Miller-Meeks
IA • R
Sponsored 1/30/2026
Bilirakis
FL • R
Sponsored 1/30/2026
Hern (OK)
OK • R
Sponsored 1/30/2026
Patronis
FL • R
Sponsored 1/30/2026
Kim
CA • R
Sponsored 1/30/2026
Bean (FL)
FL • R
Sponsored 1/30/2026
Hamadeh (AZ)
AZ • R
Sponsored 1/30/2026
Walberg
MI • R
Sponsored 1/30/2026
Rose
TN • R
Sponsored 1/30/2026
Gooden
TX • R
Sponsored 1/30/2026
Mackenzie
PA • R
Sponsored 1/30/2026
Allen
GA • R
Sponsored 1/30/2026
Pfluger
TX • R
Sponsored 1/30/2026
Williams (TX)
TX • R
Sponsored 2/2/2026
Babin
TX • R
Sponsored 2/2/2026
Fitzgerald
WI • R
Sponsored 2/2/2026
Tenney
NY • R
Sponsored 2/2/2026
Calvert
CA • R
Sponsored 2/2/2026
Donalds
FL • R
Sponsored 2/2/2026
McGuire
VA • R
Sponsored 2/2/2026
Rouzer
NC • R
Sponsored 2/2/2026
Fry
SC • R
Sponsored 2/2/2026
Kustoff
TN • R
Sponsored 2/2/2026
Moore (NC)
NC • R
Sponsored 2/2/2026
Harshbarger
TN • R
Sponsored 2/2/2026
Alford
MO • R
Sponsored 2/2/2026
Miller (OH)
OH • R
Sponsored 2/2/2026
Mann
KS • R
Sponsored 2/4/2026
Harrigan
NC • R
Sponsored 2/4/2026
DesJarlais
TN • R
Sponsored 2/4/2026
Shreve
IN • R
Sponsored 2/4/2026
Wied
WI • R
Sponsored 2/4/2026
Messmer
IN • R
Sponsored 2/4/2026
Ellzey
TX • R
Sponsored 2/4/2026
Sessions
TX • R
Sponsored 2/4/2026
Finstad
MN • R
Sponsored 2/4/2026
Collins
GA • R
Sponsored 2/4/2026
Taylor
OH • R
Sponsored 2/4/2026
Emmer
MN • R
Sponsored 2/5/2026
Stauber
MN • R
Sponsored 2/5/2026
Barrett
MI • R
Sponsored 2/9/2026
Boebert
CO • R
Sponsored 2/9/2026
Langworthy
NY • R
Sponsored 2/9/2026
Kiggans (VA)
VA • R
Sponsored 2/9/2026
Franklin, Scott
FL • R
Sponsored 2/11/2026
Goldman (TX)
TX • R
Sponsored 2/11/2026
Norman
SC • R
Sponsored 2/11/2026
Rulli
OH • R
Sponsored 2/20/2026
Foxx
NC • R
Sponsored 3/3/2026
Ezell
MS • R
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Grothman
WI • R
Sponsored 3/5/2026
Moolenaar
MI • R
Sponsored 3/5/2026
Biggs (SC)
SC • R
Sponsored 3/12/2026
Timmons
SC • R
Sponsored 3/12/2026
Burlison
MO • R
Sponsored 3/12/2026
Bost
IL • R
Sponsored 3/16/2026
Johnson (SD)
SD • R
Sponsored 3/18/2026
Smith (NE)
NE • R
Sponsored 3/24/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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