Federal Bureau of Prisons Voting Assistance Act of 2026

Voting help for federal inmates

If you are a federal inmate who is, or before incarceration was, a resident of a State that lets inmates vote while in custody, the Bureau of Prisons would have to give you information on how to register and request an absentee ballot. Not later than 90 days before any federal, State, or local election, the Director would send each such inmate a TRULINCS (or successor) message with registration and absentee-ballot instructions. The Director would also send each facility Re-entry Affairs Coordinator state-specific registration criteria and instructions, printed registration forms, and prepaid envelopes provided by the State Bureau of Election. The Bureau would post the information at every federal correctional facility and on the Bureau of Prisons website, and Re-entry coordinators would have to give eligible inmates the materials. Materials would be in English and Spanish when the State provides both, and the Bureau would provide help for inmates with a recognized disability who need assistance. The bill would define “State” to include the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and U.S. commonwealths, territories, and possessions.