Voter Empowerment Act of 2026

Key Points

• The bill would require every state to set up automatic voter registration. When people interact with government agencies like the DMV, Medicaid, or the Social Security Administration, their information would be sent to election officials and they would be registered to vote unless they choose to opt out.
• States would be required to offer at least 15 days of early voting before election day, with polls open at least 10 hours each day including weekends. The bill also guarantees any eligible voter can vote by mail without needing a special excuse, and states must provide prepaid postage on return envelopes and set up secure ballot drop boxes.
• The bill restores voting rights in federal elections for people who have been convicted of crimes but are no longer serving a felony sentence in prison. This could affect millions of Americans currently barred from voting due to state disenfranchisement laws, including those on parole, probation, or who have completed their sentences.
• All voting systems would be required to use individual, durable, voter-verified paper ballots. These paper ballots would serve as the official record for any recount or audit and must be counted by hand in such cases, ensuring there is always a physical backup for electronic vote tallies.
• The bill includes major new protections for voters with disabilities, requiring states to set up accessible election websites, provide electronic absentee ballot options, and protect the voting rights of people under guardianship. It also allows 16- and 17-year-olds to pre-register to vote so they are ready when they turn 18.
• Congress authorized $500 million for fiscal year 2027 to help states implement automatic voter registration, plus additional funding for accessible voting technology, poll worker training, and pilot programs for students and people with disabilities.