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Voter Empowerment Act of 2021

USA117th CongressS-954| Senate 
| Updated: 3/24/2021
Kirsten E. Gillibrand

Kirsten E. Gillibrand

Democratic Senator

New York

Cosponsors (1)
Raphael G. Warnock (Democratic)

Rules and Administration Committee

  • 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

S 116-549
Voter Empowerment Act of 2019
Mar 24, 2021
Introduced in Senate
Mar 24, 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
Oct 19, 2021

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 117-2358
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-549
    Voter Empowerment Act of 2019


  • March 24, 2021
    Introduced in Senate


  • March 24, 2021
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.


  • October 19, 2021

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 117-2358
    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
  • 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
  • HR 117-640: Expanding Access to Early Voting Act of 2021
  • HR 117-1059: America Votes Act of 2021
  • HR 117-576: Next Generation Votes Act
  • HR 117-641: Polling Change Awareness Act
  • HR 117-1: For the People 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 CongressS-954| Senate 
| Updated: 3/24/2021
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

S 116-549
Voter Empowerment Act of 2019
Mar 24, 2021
Introduced in Senate
Mar 24, 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
Oct 19, 2021

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 117-2358
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-549
    Voter Empowerment Act of 2019


  • March 24, 2021
    Introduced in Senate


  • March 24, 2021
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.


  • October 19, 2021

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 117-2358
    Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
Kirsten E. Gillibrand

Kirsten E. Gillibrand

Democratic Senator

New York

Cosponsors (1)
Raphael G. Warnock (Democratic)

Rules and Administration Committee

Government Operations and Politics

Related Bills

  • HR 117-1245: Alice Paul Voter Protection Act
  • 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
  • HR 117-640: Expanding Access to Early Voting Act of 2021
  • HR 117-1059: America Votes Act of 2021
  • HR 117-576: Next Generation Votes Act
  • HR 117-641: Polling Change Awareness Act
  • HR 117-1: For the People 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