Voter Empowerment Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Clyburn
Introduced
Summary
Modernize voter registration and expand access to voting by moving registration online, requiring automatic registration from many government agencies, and tightening rules to make voting more accessible and secure.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
21 provisions identified: 18 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.
More accessible voting for disabled voters
If enacted, States would have to make polling places and voting systems accessible to people with disabilities. Accessible absentee forms and ballots would be required starting with the November 2028 general Federal election. The law would fund pilots so people with disabilities can register and request absentee ballots privately (first pilots for 2027). Courts could not strip voting rights just because a person has a guardian without a clear, convincing finding about voting capacity.
Crackdown on deceptive voting practices
If enacted, it would be a federal crime to knowingly spread materially false information about when, where, or who may vote within 60 days of a covered Federal election. Penalties would increase for these offenses to fines up to $100,000 and prison up to 5 years. The bill would also ban corrupt interference with voter registration, curb so‑called caging challenges unless independently corroborated, allow certain private lawsuits to enforce election-technology rules, and bar top state election officials from active campaigning over elections they supervise.
Easier mail and absentee voting
If enacted, States could not add extra ID, notarization, or witness rules for absentee mail ballots. States would have to accept ballots postmarked or USPS‑indicated by election day if received within 10 days after the election, starting with the November 2028 general Federal election. Each State would provide tracking that shows accepted or rejected absentee ballots and reasons, with limited federal reimbursements (capped at $3,000 per jurisdiction, one payment per State). NIST would publish standards for alternatives to signature checks within six months after enactment, and a prior UOCAVA waiver would be removed.
Make mail voting easier and trackable
If enacted, States would have to let eligible federal voters apply for absentee ballots online, accept many ways to return ballots (drop boxes, polling places, designated agents), and start processing/scanning mail ballots at least 14 days before the November 2028 general election. States must run voter-facing tracking so you can see if your absentee ballot was accepted or, if rejected, why. States would also get a capped one‑time reimbursement for tracking costs and must provide prepaid, self‑sealing return envelopes; USPS would treat election mail as First‑Class and mark mailing dates.
Modernize and expand voter registration
If enacted, the bill would expand and modernize voter registration. States could accept online filings sent up to 28 days before an election starting January 1, 2027, and would have to accept certain under-18 (age 16+) submissions for later activation. Colleges would become voter registration agencies, must distribute applications at least 30 days before deadlines, and may compete for grants. State DMVs would ask about prior-state residence and notify the prior State when applicants make the new State their residence. Medicaid agencies could share data with election officials for registration purposes.
More in-person voting days and notice
If enacted, States would have uniform early voting that starts at least 15 days before election day and requires locations to be open at least 10 hours a day, including before 9 a.m. and after 5 p.m. Same‑day registration at polling places would be required starting with the November 2028 general election. States would have to post notices and contact voters at least seven days before a polling‑place change and set plans to keep voting running during emergencies. States must also set uniform rules so provisional ballots cast anywhere in the State are counted where the voter is registered.
Paper ballots as the official record
If enacted, voting systems used in Federal elections would have to produce durable, voter‑verified paper ballots that voters can inspect before casting. The paper ballot would be the official record for recounts and audits and must be suitable for hand counting. Some jurisdictions that used specified noncompliant equipment in November 2026 may get a limited delay to 2030 but must offer hand‑marked paper ballots and notices in the meantime.
Stop false election information
If enacted, the Attorney General would have authority to issue accurate corrective communications when materially false election information is spreading and officials do not correct it. The AG must write procedures within 180 days and report allegations to Congress after each general Federal election. The EAC would publish best practices to prevent voter intimidation and voter caging within 180 days.
Modernize voter registration online
If enacted, States would have to offer statewide online voter registration and let certain government agencies and colleges feed registration data to election officials unless a person opts out. Automatic Voter Registration would register eligible people within fixed deadlines (15 days for new transmissions; special 30‑day declination windows for one‑time record checks). Colleges must help students register and name a Campus Vote Coordinator. The bill also sets signature rules for online registration and allows limited State delays with EAC approval.
Restore federal voting rights
If enacted, a U.S. citizen would not lose the right to vote in Federal elections just because of a past criminal conviction unless the person is serving a felony sentence in a correctional institution on election day. Small residential treatment centers would not count as correctional institutions under this rule. The Attorney General could seek court orders to fix violations, and people could sue after following notice rules.
Better access for voters with disabilities
If enacted, each State would need an accessible election website meeting web accessibility standards by January 1, 2027. The bill would fund grants to develop secure, accessible remote voting technology and require States to send electronic blank absentee ballots to qualified individuals who need them (marked ballots may not be returned electronically). Technology funded would be non‑proprietary and test results must be public.
Strengthen and fund Election Assistance Commission
If enacted, the Election Assistance Commission would review its IT and cybersecurity and report to Congress by December 31, 2026. The Commission would study ballot design and report by January 1, 2027. The bill removes the old $10 million annual cap on EAC appropriations and expands the advisory board to add disability and aging representation effective January 1, 2027. The EAC would lose a prior contracting exemption for new contracts after enactment, and HAVA references would be updated to match the new subtitle structure.
Grants to boost election staff and youth
If enacted, the EAC would make grants to states to recruit and train poll workers, with each State's share based on voting‑age population. The bill would also fund state grants to boost youth involvement ($25 million authorized) and a one‑year pilot to give voter information to 12th graders. Grant rules require reporting and training standards.
All federal ballots on U.S. paper
If enacted, all paper ballots used in Federal elections would have to be printed on paper manufactured in the United States. The printing rule would apply to ballots used in 2028 and later, though some jurisdictions may get limited transition delays. The requirement could raise costs for printers and local election offices while aiming to strengthen domestic supply chains.
Limit SSN digits on forms
This bill would bar driver's license applications and the national mail voter registration form from asking for more than the last four digits of your Social Security number when the form requests an SSN. The change would take effect on January 1, 2027.
Optional email for voter registration
This bill would require the national mail voter registration form to include an optional email field starting January 1, 2027. If you opt in, State and local election officials would be able to send you the same voting information by email instead of by mail. Your email could only be used for official election duties and could not be shared with outside people who do not need it.
Notices and rights for returning citizens
If enacted, people convicted of a federal crime would be notified that they have the right to vote in Federal elections and would be given voter registration materials. The bill would also bar recipients of federal prison construction funds from using that money unless they have a program that notifies each released U.S. citizen about their restored voting rights.
Protect curbside voting access
This bill would stop States from banning curbside voting in jurisdictions that run Federal elections. The rule would start with the November 2028 Federal general election and apply to later Federal elections. If your jurisdiction offers curbside voting, you would not be excluded from using it if you are an eligible voter.
State election data and reporting
If enacted, States would have to give post‑election information to the Election Assistance Commission for surveys starting with the November 2028 general election. States would also submit biennial voter registration reports to the EAC, which the EAC would forward to Congress within 10 days of receipt.
Stronger UOCAVA enforcement tools
This bill would let the Attorney General sue States for violations of the absentee-voter rules that protect uniformed and overseas voters. Courts could levy civil penalties up to $110,000 for a first violation and up to $220,000 for each later violation. The bill would also create a private right for aggrieved voters to sue and require the Attorney General to report civil actions to Congress. These rules would apply to violations alleged on or after enactment.
Voting access for Indian lands
If enacted, Tribes could designate one building per precinct on tribal land as a free ballot pickup and collection site. States would have to mail ballots to registered voters on Indian lands without requiring a residential address or a separate ballot request, provide precinct maps 60 days before elections, and give language assistance where required. The Attorney General and private parties could sue to enforce these rules.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Clyburn
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.
View on Congress.gov