House Republicans' Make Elections Great Again Act Would Ban Universal Mail-In Voting, Require Photo ID
Make Elections Great Again Act
Legislative Progress
Key Points
- Voters would be required to show a physical photo ID, such as a driver's license or passport, to vote in person. Those voting by mail would need to provide a copy of their ID or their Social Security number. To help, states would offer free use of printers and scanners at public buildings like libraries and police stations.
From policy text
“the appropriate State or local election official may not provide a ballot for an election for Federal office to an individual who desires to vote in person unless the individual presents to the official a valid physical photo identification.”
View in full text - New residents would have to provide official proof of U.S. citizenship, like a birth certificate, to register to vote. States would also be required to update their voter lists every 30 days to remove people who are no longer eligible, such as those who have moved, passed away, or are not citizens.
From policy text
“Each State shall take such affirmative steps as are necessary on an ongoing basis, but in no case less frequently than once every 30 days, to verify the eligibility of registrants on the official list of eligible voters in elections for Federal office in the State through the use of all verification resources available to the State”
View in full text - The bill would end universal mail-in voting, meaning states could no longer automatically mail ballots to everyone. Instead, voters would need to request a ballot at least 30 days before an election. Most mail-in ballots would also have to arrive by the time polls close on Election Day to be counted.
From policy text
“To be considered validly cast and eligible to be counted in an election for Federal office, an absentee or mail-in ballot must be received by the appropriate election official no later than the time polls close on the date of the election”
View in full text - It would become illegal for most people to collect and turn in more than four mail-in ballots for others. There are exceptions for family members and professional caregivers. This is intended to ensure that each voter is responsible for their own ballot and to prevent others from handling large numbers of votes.
From policy text
“It shall be unlawful for an individual to distribute, order, request, deliver, or possess-- (A) any ballot not associated with-- (i) such individual; (ii) an immediate family member of such individual; or (iii) another individual for whom such individual is a caregiver; and (B) more than 4 mail-in ballots for an election for Federal office at a time.”
View in full text - The policy would ban ranked choice voting for federal offices, which is a system where voters list candidates in order of preference. Additionally, all voting machines would be required to use paper ballots that voters can verify themselves before their vote is officially recorded.
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
State Impacts
Milestones
Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Government Reform, the Judiciary, Homeland Security, and Intelligence (Permanent Select), for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Introduced in House
What Happens Next
Projected impacts based on AI analysis
New photo ID, citizenship proof, and mail-in ballot rules take effect for federal elections
Starting with 2027 elections, voters would need to show photo ID at the polls, provide documentary proof of citizenship to register, and request mail-in ballots in advance rather than receiving them automatically. States that aren't ready could get a one-year extension to January 2028.
Ban on ranked choice voting and paper ballot mandate take effect
States using ranked choice voting in federal elections, like Alaska and Maine, would have to stop. All voting systems for federal elections would need to use voter-verified paper ballots. These changes would apply 30 days after the bill becomes law.
States must complete computerized statewide voter registration lists
Every state would need a single centralized digital voter registration system that is regularly cross-checked with DHS, Social Security, and motor vehicle databases to verify citizenship and eligibility. States not ready by January 2027 can get a waiver to January 2028.
1 Article
House Republicans propose stricter voting rules as Trump administration eyes midterms
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Make Elections Great Again Act
Sponsor
Cosponsors
(59)Data Sources
Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.