Voter Purge Protection Act
Sponsored By: Senator Padilla, Alex [D-CA]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would bar states from removing people from voter rolls solely because they failed to vote. It would also require objective evidence before removal, let automatically registered or previously registered voters update addresses through election day, and set fast notice and contest procedures.
Show full summary
- Registered voters, including those automatically registered, could not be purged for not voting and would be allowed to update their address through election day.
- Voters who move within the same State could affirm their new address to an election official and vote at their current polling place or at a central location in the same registrar's jurisdiction.
- States would have to rely on objective, reliable evidence, such as official records showing death or a move out of the jurisdiction, before removing a name, and they must allow the registrant to demonstrate continued eligibility and be reinstated.
- If a name is removed or a general removal program is run, the State must notify affected registrants within 48 hours with the grounds and how to contest, and must give public notice within 48 hours with accessible options for voters with disabilities.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Stronger limits on voter removals
If enacted, the bill would make States verify with objective, reliable evidence before removing someone from federal voter rolls. It would bar using not voting, not answering election mail (unless mail is returned as undeliverable), or other inactivity as proof of ineligibility. States could still remove people shown dead or proven to have permanently moved out of the State, but must give those people a chance to show they are still eligible. The bill would also require States to send a written notice within 48 hours after any individual removal and to publish a public notice within 48 hours after any general removal program. The bill would also make existing NVRA and HAVA duties subject to these new rules.
Vote if you moved in-state
If enacted, a registrant who moved to a new address within the same State and did not notify the registrar could vote after telling an election official about the move. The registrant must give an oral or written affirmation of the new address before an election official. After that, the person could choose to vote at the polling place for the new address or at a central location in the same registrar area.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Padilla, Alex [D-CA]
CA • D
Cosponsors
Amy Klobuchar
MN • D
Sponsored 10/9/2025
Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT]
CT • D
Sponsored 10/9/2025
Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]
MD • D
Sponsored 10/9/2025
Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN]
MN • D
Sponsored 10/9/2025
Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]
VT • I
Sponsored 10/9/2025
Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
NY • D
Sponsored 10/9/2025
Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME]
ME • I
Sponsored 10/9/2025
Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA]
VA • D
Sponsored 10/9/2025
Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA]
CA • D
Sponsored 10/9/2025
Sen. Alsobrooks, Angela D. [D-MD]
MD • D
Sponsored 10/9/2025
Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]
HI • D
Sponsored 10/9/2025
Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
NH • D
Sponsored 10/9/2025
Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
CT • D
Sponsored 10/9/2025
Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]
MA • D
Sponsored 10/9/2025
Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
NJ • D
Sponsored 10/9/2025
Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
OR • D
Sponsored 10/9/2025
Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]
IL • D
Sponsored 10/9/2025
Sen. Fetterman, John [D-PA]
PA • D
Sponsored 10/9/2025
Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
OR • D
Sponsored 10/9/2025
Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
MA • D
Sponsored 10/9/2025
Sen. Kim, Andy [D-NJ]
NJ • D
Sponsored 10/9/2025
Gary Peters
MI • D
Sponsored 10/9/2025
Elissa Slotkin
MI • D
Sponsored 10/9/2025
Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]
DE • D
Sponsored 12/8/2025
Sen. Blunt Rochester, Lisa [D-DE]
DE • D
Sponsored 12/15/2025
Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]
CO • D
Sponsored 1/8/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov