Voter Empowerment Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Rep. Clyburn, James E. [D-SC-6]
Introduced
Summary
Modernize voter registration while expanding access and strengthening election accessibility and enforcement. The bill would require online and automatic registration, same-day registration for federal elections, uniform absentee rules, accessible voting systems, and new enforcement tools.
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- Voters and families: Would make registration and voting easier by requiring online registration options, an automatic registration system that registers people unless they opt out, and same-day registration for Federal elections beginning with the November 2028 general election. It shortens the pre-election registration deadline to 28 days and standardizes absentee rules like prepaid return postage and ballot tracking.
- Voters with disabilities and older adults: Would require a single accessible State election website, at least one accessible voting system at each polling place that produces a voter-verified paper ballot, and authorizes $10.0 million for research into secure remote accessible voting technologies.
- States, election officials, and enforcement: Would create new enforcement paths including Attorney General civil actions with civil penalties ($110,000 first violation; $220,000 subsequent) and private suits under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 for certain violations, and criminal penalties for corrupt interference up to 5 years imprisonment.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
16 provisions identified: 12 benefits, 0 costs, 4 mixed.
Attorney General enforcement powers
If enacted, the Attorney General could sue to fix violations of this title and send accurate corrective information to counter materially false election claims when state or local officials do not act. If enacted, private people harmed by violations could usually sue after giving notice and waiting 90 days (shorter deadlines apply close to elections). If enacted, the AG must publish corrective procedures within 180 days and report to Congress after each general Federal election.
Grants, standards, and EAC support
If enacted, the Election Assistance Commission would get a large grant program to help States modernize registration systems, with $500 million authorized for FY2027 and such sums as needed later. If enacted, NIST must publish technical standards for voter data, matching rules, and alternative absentee verification methods, and States must annually certify compliance to get subtitle payments. If enacted, the EAC would also collect State information for post‑election surveys and publish best‑practice guidance to prevent unlawful registration interference within set deadlines.
More early voting and same‑day registration
If enacted, States would have to allow at least 15 days of early voting and keep each early site open at least 10 hours per day, with some hours before 9 a.m. and some after 5 p.m. If enacted, States would have to allow same‑day registration at polling places for Federal elections starting with the November 2028 general election. If enacted, States must plan resources so no one waits more than 30 minutes to vote, and officials must notify voters by mail, phone, and email/text (if available) at least 7 days before a polling‑place change.
Online voter registration rules
If enacted, States would have to offer online voter registration on official election websites. If enacted, online forms must include the required attestation and an accepted electronic signature method, and officials must confirm receipt and send a decision notice within 7 days. If enacted, first-time online registrants who have never voted in a Federal election in the State would need to provide a handwritten signature when they first vote in person or by mail, with listed exceptions. If enacted, many of these rules would take effect January 1, 2027, though some States may get a waiver to delay to January 1, 2029.
Stronger rules and penalties against interference
If enacted, the bill would make it a federal crime to knowingly spread materially false information about when, where, or how to vote within 60 days before many Federal elections. It would also criminalize intentionally obstructing voter registration or voting and impose fines and prison terms. The bill would bar the top State election official from taking active roles in campaigns they oversee and would let people file notarized complaints with the Attorney General and bring certain private enforcement suits. These changes would expand enforcement tools and civil remedies for election interference.
Accessible voting equipment and paper ballots
If enacted, States would have to make polling places and absentee materials accessible to people with disabilities. Each polling place would need at least one system that lets a voter privately verify and cast a durable paper ballot without handling it by hand. The paper ballot would be the official record for Federal elections and must be suitable for manual audits and hand counts. Some parts take effect for the November 2028 elections and some parts may start in 2027 or 2029 as specified.
Modernize registration and protect registrants
If enacted, States would be allowed to use certain federal HAVA payments to modernize voter registration and run automatic voter registration systems that transfer eligible records unless individuals decline. The bill would protect people from prosecution or immigration penalties for automatic-registration errors, ban collection of decline choices by contributing agencies, and allow pre-registration for 16- and 17-year-olds to be recorded. States would have to offer a sworn-statement or student ID as alternate ID where ID is required to vote, and private or official voter-caging lists would not be enough to disqualify a registrant unless independently corroborated. The bill would also make corrupt interference with registration a federal crime.
More in-person access: drop boxes and curbside
If enacted, States would have to provide secure, clearly labeled absentee ballot drop boxes from 45 days before an election until polls close, with at least one box for jurisdictions under 20,000 registered voters and at least one box per 20,000 registered voters for larger jurisdictions. The bill would prevent States from banning curbside voting and would require contingency plans to let people vote during declared emergencies. It would also require uniform statewide rules so provisional ballots are counted by the voter's home jurisdiction even if cast elsewhere. These rules generally take effect for the November 2028 general election or earlier as specified.
Automatic registration from agencies
If enacted, each State would have to run an automatic voter registration system that registers eligible people from government agency records unless they opt out. If enacted, agencies must notify applicants, pause transactions until the applicant responds, and send specified data after a 30-day notice period. If enacted, the State must give a 30‑day decline window and register eligible people within 45 days unless they decline, and interstate removal checks must meet stricter identity and timing rules. If enacted, these requirements would start January 1, 2028 (States may seek a waiver to January 1, 2030).
Absentee voting, tracking, and postage
If enacted, States would have to accept online absentee‑ballot applications and, if the application arrives at least 5 business days before the election, ensure the voter gets their ballot before election day. If enacted, every State must run absentee ballot tracking that shows voters whether their ballot was received and accepted and why it was rejected, starting with the November 2028 general election. If enacted, States must give a prompt notice and a 10‑day cure period for signature problems, provide prepaid self‑sealing return envelopes for registration and ballot materials (90 days after enactment), and allow many alternative return options including drop boxes and tribal pickup locations. If enacted, the EAC may reimburse States up to $3,000 per responsible jurisdiction for tracking setup costs.
Restore voting rights and notice rules
If enacted, a U.S. citizen could not be denied the right to vote in Federal elections because of a past criminal conviction unless they are serving a felony sentence in a correctional facility at the time of the election. If enacted, States must notify people about restored voting rights at probation sentencing or on release for felonies and at sentencing for misdemeanors, and the Federal Government will use set procedures to notify in appropriate Federal cases. If enacted, the Attorney General and private parties can sue to enforce these notice and restoration rules.
More federal grants and EAC authority
If enacted, the Election Assistance Commission would have ongoing authorization to receive appropriations starting in fiscal year 2026 with no $10 million per-year cap. The bill refocuses and reauthorizes HAVA accessibility payments, adds new obligation timetables, allows some grant dollars for campus and youth voter projects, expands advisory-board seats for disability and older-voter groups, and removes a contracting exemption for the Commission. These changes increase federal support and oversight for election administration and accessibility, subject to future annual appropriations.
Simpler, safer mail and overseas voting
If enacted, States would have to accept mailed ballots that were postmarked or signed on or before election day if they arrive within 10 days after the election, starting with the November 2028 general election. The Postal Service would treat registration forms and absentee ballots as first-class mail and mark absentee envelopes with a USPS postmark or mail date for Federal elections beginning January 1, 2027. When a State misses the 45-day send deadline for overseas or absent uniformed services voters, it must use express delivery or electronic transmission and pay express-return costs; the Attorney General could sue States for violations and courts may assess civil penalties. The bill would also bar extra requirements like notarization for absentee ballots and allow certain qualified voters to receive blank ballots electronically (but not return marked ballots electronically).
Paper ballots and voting‑system standards
If enacted, paper ballots for Federal elections would be the official record and must be printed on durable U.S.-manufactured paper. If enacted, ballots from marking devices must be readable by voters and by scanners and assistive tech, and such paper must last 22 months. If enacted, NIST must publish technical standards for alternative absentee verification methods within 6 months after enactment. If enacted, some jurisdictions may get limited delays to comply until 2030.
Grants for poll workers and accessibility
If enacted and funded by Congress, the EAC would give grants to States to recruit and train poll workers and to test accessible remote voting tools for people with disabilities. If enacted, at least three projects would get research grants for accessible remote voting, and the EAC would fund pilot programs for private home electronic registration and absentee requests for voters with disabilities. If enacted, the grants must be used for additional funding, follow training standards, and projects must meet deadlines and non‑proprietary requirements.
Prison funding tied to voting notice
If enacted, recipients of Federal funds to build or improve prisons would have to operate a program that notifies released U.S. citizen inmates about restored voting rights. States or local governments could not receive or use those construction funds unless the notice program is in effect. The requirement takes effect upon enactment and aims to improve return-of-rights notice for people leaving incarceration.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Rep. Clyburn, James E. [D-SC-6]
SC • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12]
NJ • D
Sponsored 3/26/2026
Rep. Amo, Gabe [D-RI-1]
RI • D
Sponsored 4/14/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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