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119-hr-8441119th Congress

Military VOTE Act

Sponsored By: Representative Casten, Sean [D-IL-6]

Introduced

Summary

Expand electronic absentee ballot processing and delivery for absent uniformed service members and overseas citizens. This bill would let those voters send the official postcard that registers them and requests an absentee ballot by email or an online portal, and would streamline how ballots are sent back to them.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Easier absentee voting for service members

If enacted, States would have to accept the official UOCAVA postcard when sent by email or through an online portal or when mailed. If an absent uniformed services or overseas voter does not pick a delivery method, the State would have to send the ballot electronically starting with the November 2026 Federal general election, unless the State lacks enough information to send electronically. If enacted, a federal grant program would provide up to $40,000,000 to help States set up electronic acceptance; States would need to certify they cannot comply now and submit a plan and cost details to apply. If enacted, a voter who uses the postcard and asks for ongoing absentee ballots would get paper ballots for at least the next two Federal elections if they requested paper, or electronic ballots for each subsequent Federal election if they receive ballots electronically. These registration and postcard processing rules would apply to applications submitted on or after enactment.

Study and protections for military voters

If enacted, the Presidential designee would have to evaluate within one year whether change-of-base packets tell transferring service members how to register for Federal elections and send that report to the President and Congress. If enacted, the Secretary of Defense would have to study automatic voter registration at enlistment/commissioning, automatic address updates when service members move, and electronic transmission of enrollment data to States, and file a public report within 180 days. If enacted, the bill would also say that nothing in the Act stops a service member from registering or updating registration directly with State election officials.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Casten, Sean [D-IL-6]

IL • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]

    VA • D

    Sponsored 7/21/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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