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Voter Empowerment Act of 2021

USA117th CongressHR-2358| House 
| Updated: 10/19/2021
James E. Clyburn

James E. Clyburn

Democratic Representative

South Carolina

Cosponsors (38)
Brenda L. Lawrence (Democratic)Dwight Evans (Democratic)Val Butler Demings (Democratic)Nikema Williams (Democratic)Sylvia R. Garcia (Democratic)Barbara Lee (Democratic)Raúl M. Grijalva (Democratic)Ritchie Torres (Democratic)Mark Pocan (Democratic)Joyce Beatty (Democratic)Darren Soto (Democratic)Joe Courtney (Democratic)Sanford D. Bishop (Democratic)Terri A. Sewell (Democratic)Bobby L. Rush (Democratic)Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (Democratic)Carolyn Bourdeaux (Democratic)John P. Sarbanes (Democratic)Anthony G. Brown (Democratic)Jahana Hayes (Democratic)Jerrold Nadler (Democratic)Alma S. Adams (Democratic)Mark Takano (Democratic)Lucy McBath (Democratic)Pramila Jayapal (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Salud O. Carbajal (Democratic)Janice D. Schakowsky (Democratic)James P. McGovern (Democratic)Peter Welch (Democratic)Earl Blumenauer (Democratic)Lori Trahan (Democratic)Lizzie Fletcher (Democratic)Nanette Diaz Barragán (Democratic)Jesús G. "Chuy" García (Democratic)Alcee L. Hastings (Democratic)Cori Bush (Democratic)Judy Chu (Democratic)
Committees (8)
• Committee on House Administration• Financial Services Committee• Judiciary Committee• Constitution and Limited Government Subcommittee• Science, Space, and Technology Committee• Education and Workforce Committee• Oversight and Government Reform Committee• Research and Technology Subcommittee
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Voter Empowerment Act of 2021 This bill expands voter registration and voting access. Specifically, the bill expands voter registration by requiring states to (1) make available online voter registration, (2) establish automatic voter registration systems, (3) permit same-day voter registration, and (4) accept voter registration applications from individuals under age 18. Further, the bill limits removing voters from voter rolls and prohibits interference with voter registration or voting. Next, the bill requires states to allow individuals with disabilities to use absentee registration procedures and to vote by absentee ballot in federal elections. The bill also prohibits voter caging (the practice of sending mail to addresses on voter rolls, compiling a list of the undeliverable mail, and using the list to remove registered voters from voter rolls). Next, the bill expands voting access by requiring states to allow early voting and voting by mail without additional conditions. It also requires states to provide secured drop boxes at which individuals may drop off their completed absentee ballots. In addition, the bill declares that the right of a U.S. citizen to vote in any federal election shall not be denied or abridged because that individual has been convicted of a criminal offense unless, at the time of the election, such individual is serving a felony sentence. Finally, the bill permanently reauthorizes the Election Assistance Commission (EAC). It also directs the EAC to make grants to states for specified activities, including to implement automatic voter registration systems.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-1275
Voter Empowerment Act of 2019
Mar 24, 2021

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 117-954
Introduced in Senate
Apr 5, 2021
Introduced in House
Apr 5, 2021
Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Science, Space, and Technology, Oversight and Reform, Education and Labor, and Financial Services, 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.
Apr 5, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Research and Technology.
Oct 19, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-1275
    Voter Empowerment Act of 2019


  • March 24, 2021

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 117-954
    Introduced in Senate


  • April 5, 2021
    Introduced in House


  • April 5, 2021
    Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Science, Space, and Technology, Oversight and Reform, Education and Labor, and Financial Services, 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.


  • April 5, 2021
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Research and Technology.


  • October 19, 2021
    Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.

Government Operations and Politics

Related Bills

  • HR 117-1245: Alice Paul Voter Protection Act
  • HR 117-222: Election Day Holiday Act of 2021
  • HR 117-642: Voter Information Hotline Act of 2021
  • S 117-481: Democracy Restoration Act of 2021
  • HR 117-65: Same Day Registration Act of 2021
  • HR 117-776: Dropbox Access Act
  • HR 117-3867: Every Vote Counts Act
  • S 117-954: Voter Empowerment Act of 2021
  • HR 117-640: Expanding Access to Early Voting Act of 2021
  • HR 117-1059: America Votes Act of 2021
Advisory bodiesAgingCivil actions and liabilityCongressional electionsCongressional oversightCorrectional facilities and imprisonmentDisability and paralysisDisaster relief and insuranceElection Assistance CommissionElections, voting, political campaign regulationElementary and secondary educationEmergency planning and evacuationEmployee hiringFamily relationshipsForeign language and bilingual programsFraud offenses and financial crimesGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsHigher educationIndian lands and resources rightsIndian social and development programsInternet and video servicesInternet, web applications, social mediaLaw enforcement administration and fundingMilitary personnel and dependentsNatural disastersNorthern IrelandPostal servicePublic contracts and procurementState and local government operationsU.S. territories and protectoratesVoting rightsWorker safety and health

Voter Empowerment Act of 2021

USA117th CongressHR-2358| House 
| Updated: 10/19/2021
Voter Empowerment Act of 2021 This bill expands voter registration and voting access. Specifically, the bill expands voter registration by requiring states to (1) make available online voter registration, (2) establish automatic voter registration systems, (3) permit same-day voter registration, and (4) accept voter registration applications from individuals under age 18. Further, the bill limits removing voters from voter rolls and prohibits interference with voter registration or voting. Next, the bill requires states to allow individuals with disabilities to use absentee registration procedures and to vote by absentee ballot in federal elections. The bill also prohibits voter caging (the practice of sending mail to addresses on voter rolls, compiling a list of the undeliverable mail, and using the list to remove registered voters from voter rolls). Next, the bill expands voting access by requiring states to allow early voting and voting by mail without additional conditions. It also requires states to provide secured drop boxes at which individuals may drop off their completed absentee ballots. In addition, the bill declares that the right of a U.S. citizen to vote in any federal election shall not be denied or abridged because that individual has been convicted of a criminal offense unless, at the time of the election, such individual is serving a felony sentence. Finally, the bill permanently reauthorizes the Election Assistance Commission (EAC). It also directs the EAC to make grants to states for specified activities, including to implement automatic voter registration systems.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-1275
Voter Empowerment Act of 2019
Mar 24, 2021

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 117-954
Introduced in Senate
Apr 5, 2021
Introduced in House
Apr 5, 2021
Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Science, Space, and Technology, Oversight and Reform, Education and Labor, and Financial Services, 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.
Apr 5, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Research and Technology.
Oct 19, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-1275
    Voter Empowerment Act of 2019


  • March 24, 2021

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 117-954
    Introduced in Senate


  • April 5, 2021
    Introduced in House


  • April 5, 2021
    Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Science, Space, and Technology, Oversight and Reform, Education and Labor, and Financial Services, 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.


  • April 5, 2021
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Research and Technology.


  • October 19, 2021
    Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
James E. Clyburn

James E. Clyburn

Democratic Representative

South Carolina

Cosponsors (38)
Brenda L. Lawrence (Democratic)Dwight Evans (Democratic)Val Butler Demings (Democratic)Nikema Williams (Democratic)Sylvia R. Garcia (Democratic)Barbara Lee (Democratic)Raúl M. Grijalva (Democratic)Ritchie Torres (Democratic)Mark Pocan (Democratic)Joyce Beatty (Democratic)Darren Soto (Democratic)Joe Courtney (Democratic)Sanford D. Bishop (Democratic)Terri A. Sewell (Democratic)Bobby L. Rush (Democratic)Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (Democratic)Carolyn Bourdeaux (Democratic)John P. Sarbanes (Democratic)Anthony G. Brown (Democratic)Jahana Hayes (Democratic)Jerrold Nadler (Democratic)Alma S. Adams (Democratic)Mark Takano (Democratic)Lucy McBath (Democratic)Pramila Jayapal (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Salud O. Carbajal (Democratic)Janice D. Schakowsky (Democratic)James P. McGovern (Democratic)Peter Welch (Democratic)Earl Blumenauer (Democratic)Lori Trahan (Democratic)Lizzie Fletcher (Democratic)Nanette Diaz Barragán (Democratic)Jesús G. "Chuy" García (Democratic)Alcee L. Hastings (Democratic)Cori Bush (Democratic)Judy Chu (Democratic)
Committees (8)
• Committee on House Administration• Financial Services Committee• Judiciary Committee• Constitution and Limited Government Subcommittee• Science, Space, and Technology Committee• Education and Workforce Committee• Oversight and Government Reform Committee• Research and Technology Subcommittee

Government Operations and Politics

Related Bills

  • HR 117-1245: Alice Paul Voter Protection Act
  • HR 117-222: Election Day Holiday Act of 2021
  • HR 117-642: Voter Information Hotline Act of 2021
  • S 117-481: Democracy Restoration Act of 2021
  • HR 117-65: Same Day Registration Act of 2021
  • HR 117-776: Dropbox Access Act
  • HR 117-3867: Every Vote Counts Act
  • S 117-954: Voter Empowerment Act of 2021
  • HR 117-640: Expanding Access to Early Voting Act of 2021
  • HR 117-1059: America Votes Act of 2021
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Advisory bodiesAgingCivil actions and liabilityCongressional electionsCongressional oversightCorrectional facilities and imprisonmentDisability and paralysisDisaster relief and insuranceElection Assistance CommissionElections, voting, political campaign regulationElementary and secondary educationEmergency planning and evacuationEmployee hiringFamily relationshipsForeign language and bilingual programsFraud offenses and financial crimesGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsHigher educationIndian lands and resources rightsIndian social and development programsInternet and video servicesInternet, web applications, social mediaLaw enforcement administration and fundingMilitary personnel and dependentsNatural disastersNorthern IrelandPostal servicePublic contracts and procurementState and local government operationsU.S. territories and protectoratesVoting rightsWorker safety and health