Military VOTE Act
Sponsored By: Representative Casten
Introduced
Summary
Makes it easier and faster for military and overseas voters to register and receive absentee ballots electronically. It would expand electronic acceptance of the official post card form, let that form request ballots for future federal elections, fund state implementation grants, and require studies to modernize voter registration for service members.
Show full summary
- Absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters would be allowed to submit the official post card form by email or an online portal. Electronic-form filers could receive ballots for every subsequent federal election and paper filers would receive ballots for at least the next two subsequent elections.
- State election offices would be eligible for grants to help implement the changes, with $40.0 million authorized to begin after enactment; states must provide plans, cost breakdowns, or certify inability to comply.
- The Department of Defense would evaluate whether change-of-base packet information lets transferees register to vote and would study automatic registration and automatic address updates for new enlistees, with a report due to the Armed Services committees within 180 days.
*Authorizes $40.0 million in appropriations for state grants, increasing federal spending by that amount.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Faster electronic voting for military
If enacted, the bill would require States to accept the official postcard voter registration/absentee ballot form by email or an online portal. If an absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter does not pick a transmission method, the State would have to send the federal absentee ballot electronically when possible. If a State cannot send electronically because it lacks information, the State would use any delivery method allowed by state law. The bill would also authorize $40 million in grants to help States implement electronic acceptance. The electronic transmission and acceptance rules would apply starting with the November 2026 federal general election and later elections.
One form for future military ballots
If enacted, the bill would let an absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter ask on the official postcard that the form serve as the absentee ballot request for future Federal elections. If the voter requested paper ballots, the State would have to send paper ballots for at least the next two federal elections. If the voter received ballots electronically, the State would have to provide electronic ballots for each subsequent federal election until the voter cancels, is no longer eligible, or opts out. These rules would apply to applications submitted on or after enactment.
Study and protect military registration rights
If enacted, the Presidential designee would have one year to evaluate whether change-of-base packets give transferred service members clear, timely voter registration instructions. The Secretary of Defense would have 180 days to report on the feasibility and costs of automatic voter registration at enlistment and automatic address updates, and to make the report public. The bill would also say that nothing in it would stop service members from registering or updating registration directly with State election officials.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Casten
IL • D
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov