PRIA Logo™
HR7300119th Congress

Make Elections Great Again Act

Sponsored By: Representative Steil, Bryan [R-WI-1]

In Committee

Summary

This bill would impose a new, nationwide photo ID and documentary proof regime for Federal voting and overhaul how states register and verify voters. It also centralizes voter rolls and tightens ballot rules like mandatory paper ballots and mail‑vote controls.

Show full summary
  • Voters: In‑person voters would need a valid photo ID to get a ballot and could cure a provisional ballot by providing ID or a religious‑photography affidavit within 3 days. Mail voters must provide a copy of photo ID or last four digits of their Social Security number plus an affidavit if they cannot get ID.
  • State election officials and agencies: States would have to run a single, computerized statewide registration list and verify eligibility at least every 30 days using databases like the Social Security Administration and DHS SAVE. Registrants would need documentary proof of U.S. citizenship for new registrations and face specific removal and notice procedures.
  • Election administration and security: The bill would require paper ballots, expand post‑election audits using HAVA funds, ban ranked‑choice voting for Federal offices, add barcode tracking and new chain‑of‑custody rules for mail ballots.

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 2 mixed.

Paper ballots, audits, and records

This bill would require voter‑verifiable paper ballots be the official record for Federal elections and be preserved for recounts and audits. States could use certain Help America Vote Act funds to run post‑election audits if results are released before the challenge deadline. The bill would expand the list of election records that States must keep (audit logs, ballot images, chain‑of‑custody records, tabulation and certification reports, and more). Homeland Security and intelligence leaders would also have to send a joint threats report 60–30 days before each general Federal election.

New ID and registration checks

This bill would make new documentary rules for registering to vote in Federal elections. Applicants would have to give proof of U.S. citizenship, the last four of their Social Security number, and a current driver license or other proof of residence. States would keep one statewide computerized voter list, check eligibility at least every 30 days, and share data with DMV, Social Security, DHS, and DOJ. Federal agencies would have to answer State eligibility requests within 24 hours and the Paperwork Reduction Act would not apply to updating registration forms. Many of these rules would start January 1, 2027.

Photo ID rules for voting

This bill would require a valid physical photo ID to get an in-person Federal ballot. If you lack ID in person you could cast a provisional ballot and would have 3 days to show ID or a state affidavit for a religious objection to photos. For non‑in‑person ballots, officials would not accept a ballot unless it includes a copy of a photo ID or the last four of your Social Security number plus a state affidavit saying you reasonably could not get ID. States would have to tell applicants about the ID rules and make devices available to copy IDs at no cost where practicable; the ID rules would apply to elections in 2027 and after.

New rules for mail and absentee ballots

This bill would require mailed absentee ballots to arrive by the time polls close on election day to be counted, with limited exceptions for military and overseas voters. Ballot envelopes from officials would need Postal Service tracking barcodes and machineable design. People may not possess more than four others' mail‑in ballots at once, and anyone returning another person's ballot must show photo ID and sign an affidavit; officials must keep return records for two years. States would have to process ballots they receive before election day under set timelines, and serious criminal penalties apply for paid ballot‑handling violations.

Enforcement, agency limits, and bans

This bill would repeal parts of the National Voter Registration Act and parts of the Help America Vote Act and would bar federal agencies from registering people or funding outside groups to do voter registration or mobilization on agency property or websites. States would have to have an agreement with the U.S. Attorney General to share evidence of possible election fraud or risk losing HAVA funds for that year. The bill would create federal civil enforcement and a private right to sue officials for violations, and it would ban ranked‑choice and multi‑vote systems in federal general elections.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Steil, Bryan [R-WI-1]

WI • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Miller, Mary E. [R-IL-15]

    IL • R

    Sponsored 1/30/2026

  • Rep. Murphy, Gregory F. [R-NC-3]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 1/30/2026

  • Rep. Carey, Mike [R-OH-15]

    OH • R

    Sponsored 1/30/2026

  • Rep. Tiffany, Thomas P. [R-WI-7]

    WI • R

    Sponsored 1/30/2026

  • Rep. Van Orden, Derrick [R-WI-3]

    WI • R

    Sponsored 1/30/2026

  • Rep. Begich, Nicholas J. [R-AK-At Large]

    AK • R

    Sponsored 1/30/2026

  • Rep. Bice, Stephanie I. [R-OK-5]

    OK • R

    Sponsored 1/30/2026

  • Rep. Gonzales, Tony [R-TX-23]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 1/30/2026

  • Rep. Bresnahan, Robert P. [R-PA-8]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 1/30/2026

  • Rep. Fong, Vince [R-CA-20]

    CA • R

    Sponsored 1/30/2026

  • Rep. Edwards, Chuck [R-NC-11]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 1/30/2026

  • Rep. Miller-Meeks, Mariannette [R-IA-1]

    IA • R

    Sponsored 1/30/2026

  • Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 1/30/2026

  • Rep. Hern, Kevin [R-OK-1]

    OK • R

    Sponsored 1/30/2026

  • Rep. Patronis, Jimmy [R-FL-1]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 1/30/2026

  • Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40]

    CA • R

    Sponsored 1/30/2026

  • Rep. Bean, Aaron [R-FL-4]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 1/30/2026

  • Rep. Hamadeh, Abraham J. [R-AZ-8]

    AZ • R

    Sponsored 1/30/2026

  • Rep. Walberg, Tim [R-MI-5]

    MI • R

    Sponsored 1/30/2026

  • Rep. Rose, John W. [R-TN-6]

    TN • R

    Sponsored 1/30/2026

  • Rep. Gooden, Lance [R-TX-5]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 1/30/2026

  • Rep. Mackenzie, Ryan [R-PA-7]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 1/30/2026

  • Rep. Allen, Rick W. [R-GA-12]

    GA • R

    Sponsored 1/30/2026

  • Rep. Pfluger, August [R-TX-11]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 1/30/2026

  • Rep. Williams, Roger [R-TX-25]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 2/2/2026

  • Rep. Babin, Brian [R-TX-36]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 2/2/2026

  • Rep. Fitzgerald, Scott [R-WI-5]

    WI • R

    Sponsored 2/2/2026

  • Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24]

    NY • R

    Sponsored 2/2/2026

  • Rep. Calvert, Ken [R-CA-41]

    CA • R

    Sponsored 2/2/2026

  • Rep. Donalds, Byron [R-FL-19]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 2/2/2026

  • Rep. McGuire, John J. [R-VA-5]

    VA • R

    Sponsored 2/2/2026

  • Rep. Rouzer, David [R-NC-7]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 2/2/2026

  • Rep. Fry, Russell [R-SC-7]

    SC • R

    Sponsored 2/2/2026

  • Rep. Kustoff, David [R-TN-8]

    TN • R

    Sponsored 2/2/2026

  • Rep. Moore, Tim [R-NC-14]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 2/2/2026

  • Rep. Harshbarger, Diana [R-TN-1]

    TN • R

    Sponsored 2/2/2026

  • Rep. Alford, Mark [R-MO-4]

    MO • R

    Sponsored 2/2/2026

  • Rep. Miller, Max L. [R-OH-7]

    OH • R

    Sponsored 2/2/2026

  • Rep. Mann, Tracey [R-KS-1]

    KS • R

    Sponsored 2/4/2026

  • Rep. Harrigan, Pat [R-NC-10]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 2/4/2026

  • Rep. DesJarlais, Scott [R-TN-4]

    TN • R

    Sponsored 2/4/2026

  • Rep. Shreve, Jefferson [R-IN-6]

    IN • R

    Sponsored 2/4/2026

  • Rep. Wied, Tony [R-WI-8]

    WI • R

    Sponsored 2/4/2026

  • Rep. Messmer, Mark B. [R-IN-8]

    IN • R

    Sponsored 2/4/2026

  • Rep. Ellzey, Jake [R-TX-6]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 2/4/2026

  • Rep. Sessions, Pete [R-TX-17]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 2/4/2026

  • Rep. Finstad, Brad [R-MN-1]

    MN • R

    Sponsored 2/4/2026

  • Rep. Collins, Mike [R-GA-10]

    GA • R

    Sponsored 2/4/2026

  • Rep. Taylor, David J. [R-OH-2]

    OH • R

    Sponsored 2/4/2026

  • Rep. Emmer, Tom [R-MN-6]

    MN • R

    Sponsored 2/5/2026

  • Rep. Stauber, Pete [R-MN-8]

    MN • R

    Sponsored 2/5/2026

  • Rep. Barrett, Tom [R-MI-7]

    MI • R

    Sponsored 2/9/2026

  • Rep. Boebert, Lauren [R-CO-4]

    CO • R

    Sponsored 2/9/2026

  • Rep. Langworthy, Nicholas A. [R-NY-23]

    NY • R

    Sponsored 2/9/2026

  • Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2]

    VA • R

    Sponsored 2/9/2026

  • Rep. Franklin, Scott [R-FL-18]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 2/11/2026

  • Rep. Goldman, Craig A. [R-TX-12]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 2/11/2026

  • Rep. Norman, Ralph [R-SC-5]

    SC • R

    Sponsored 2/11/2026

  • Rep. Rulli, Michael A. [R-OH-6]

    OH • R

    Sponsored 2/20/2026

  • Rep. Foxx, Virginia [R-NC-5]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 3/3/2026

  • Rep. Ezell, Mike [R-MS-4]

    MS • R

    Sponsored 3/4/2026

  • Rep. Grothman, Glenn [R-WI-6]

    WI • R

    Sponsored 3/5/2026

  • Rep. Moolenaar, John R. [R-MI-2]

    MI • R

    Sponsored 3/5/2026

  • Rep. Biggs, Sheri [R-SC-3]

    SC • R

    Sponsored 3/12/2026

  • Rep. Timmons, William R. [R-SC-4]

    SC • R

    Sponsored 3/12/2026

  • Rep. Burlison, Eric [R-MO-7]

    MO • R

    Sponsored 3/12/2026

  • Rep. Bost, Mike [R-IL-12]

    IL • R

    Sponsored 3/16/2026

  • Rep. Johnson, Dusty [R-SD-At Large]

    SD • R

    Sponsored 3/18/2026

  • Rep. Smith, Adrian [R-NE-3]

    NE • R

    Sponsored 3/24/2026

  • Rep. Houchin, Erin [R-IN-9]

    IN • R

    Sponsored 4/16/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
Back to Legislation