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VoteSafe Act of 2020

USA116th CongressS-3725| Senate 
| Updated: 5/13/2020
Kamala D. Harris

Kamala D. Harris

Democratic Senator

California

Cosponsors (18)
Mazie K. Hirono (Democratic)Tammy Duckworth (Democratic)Dianne Feinstein (Democratic)Catherine Cortez Masto (Democratic)Richard J. Durbin (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Jack Reed (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Mark R. Warner (Democratic)Jacky Rosen (Democratic)Sherrod Brown (Democratic)Bernard Sanders (Independent)Tammy Baldwin (Democratic)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Robert Menendez (Democratic)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)Ron Wyden (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Rules and Administration Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
VoteSafe Act of 2020 This bill expands vote-by-mail and early in-person voting during the 2020 federal elections. It also directs polling places to follow certain guidance related to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) preparedness. Specifically, each state and local jurisdiction must permit no-excuse mail-in absentee voting. Among other things, each state and jurisdiction must (1) provide a mail-in ballot with prepaid return postage to each registered voter who requests such a ballot, (2) allow voters to submit online ballot requests, (3) allow voters to cure certain signature discrepancies, and (4) provide secured drop-off boxes from 45 days before the date of the election. Each state and local jurisdiction must maintain an early in-person voting period of at least 20 days. Additionally, each state must establish a plan to ensure that polling places are implementing guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention related to COVID-19 preparedness. Among other requirements, each plan must (1) keep as many voting locations open as possible, (2) prepare polling locations to implement social distancing protocols, (3) provide sufficient quantities of hygiene and cleaning supplies at polling locations, and (4) provide hazard pay and protective equipment to poll workers. The Election Assistance Commission (EAC) must make a payment, within 30 days, to each state to carry out these requirements. Finally, the EAC must make payments to eligible states to carry out certain activities related to in-person voting, such as ensuring that elections are accessible to individuals with disabilities and implementing curbside voting.
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Timeline
May 13, 2020
Introduced in Senate
May 13, 2020
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
Jun 1, 2020

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 116-7068
Introduced in House
  • May 13, 2020
    Introduced in Senate


  • May 13, 2020
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.


  • June 1, 2020

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 116-7068
    Introduced in House

Government Operations and Politics

Related Bills

  • HR 116-7068: VoteSafe Act of 2020
  • HR 116-6807: VoteSafe Act of 2020
Administrative remediesAlaska Natives and HawaiiansCardiovascular and respiratory healthCivil actions and liabilityDisability assistanceElections, voting, political campaign regulationEmergency medical services and trauma careForeign language and bilingual programsGovernment information and archivesHealth promotion and preventive careHealth technology, devices, suppliesIndian social and development programsInfectious and parasitic diseasesPostal serviceState and local financeState and local government operationsVoting rightsWages and earningsWorker safety and health

VoteSafe Act of 2020

USA116th CongressS-3725| Senate 
| Updated: 5/13/2020
VoteSafe Act of 2020 This bill expands vote-by-mail and early in-person voting during the 2020 federal elections. It also directs polling places to follow certain guidance related to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) preparedness. Specifically, each state and local jurisdiction must permit no-excuse mail-in absentee voting. Among other things, each state and jurisdiction must (1) provide a mail-in ballot with prepaid return postage to each registered voter who requests such a ballot, (2) allow voters to submit online ballot requests, (3) allow voters to cure certain signature discrepancies, and (4) provide secured drop-off boxes from 45 days before the date of the election. Each state and local jurisdiction must maintain an early in-person voting period of at least 20 days. Additionally, each state must establish a plan to ensure that polling places are implementing guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention related to COVID-19 preparedness. Among other requirements, each plan must (1) keep as many voting locations open as possible, (2) prepare polling locations to implement social distancing protocols, (3) provide sufficient quantities of hygiene and cleaning supplies at polling locations, and (4) provide hazard pay and protective equipment to poll workers. The Election Assistance Commission (EAC) must make a payment, within 30 days, to each state to carry out these requirements. Finally, the EAC must make payments to eligible states to carry out certain activities related to in-person voting, such as ensuring that elections are accessible to individuals with disabilities and implementing curbside voting.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
May 13, 2020
Introduced in Senate
May 13, 2020
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
Jun 1, 2020

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 116-7068
Introduced in House
  • May 13, 2020
    Introduced in Senate


  • May 13, 2020
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.


  • June 1, 2020

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 116-7068
    Introduced in House
Kamala D. Harris

Kamala D. Harris

Democratic Senator

California

Cosponsors (18)
Mazie K. Hirono (Democratic)Tammy Duckworth (Democratic)Dianne Feinstein (Democratic)Catherine Cortez Masto (Democratic)Richard J. Durbin (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Jack Reed (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Mark R. Warner (Democratic)Jacky Rosen (Democratic)Sherrod Brown (Democratic)Bernard Sanders (Independent)Tammy Baldwin (Democratic)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Robert Menendez (Democratic)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)Ron Wyden (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Rules and Administration Committee

Government Operations and Politics

Related Bills

  • HR 116-7068: VoteSafe Act of 2020
  • HR 116-6807: VoteSafe Act of 2020
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Administrative remediesAlaska Natives and HawaiiansCardiovascular and respiratory healthCivil actions and liabilityDisability assistanceElections, voting, political campaign regulationEmergency medical services and trauma careForeign language and bilingual programsGovernment information and archivesHealth promotion and preventive careHealth technology, devices, suppliesIndian social and development programsInfectious and parasitic diseasesPostal serviceState and local financeState and local government operationsVoting rightsWages and earningsWorker safety and health