The Voter Empowerment Act of 2026 aims to significantly modernize and expand access to voting in federal elections while bolstering election integrity and security. It mandates online and automatic voter registration (AVR) through various government agencies, and same-day voter registration at polling places, while also limiting registration information requirements and allowing 16 and 17-year-olds to pre-register. The legislation introduces stringent conditions on voter list maintenance , particularly regarding interstate cross-checks, requiring more robust data before removing voters. To combat voter caging and other questionable challenges, the bill defines and prohibits their use as a basis for denying registration or voting, imposing penalties for knowing misconduct. It also creates new prohibitions and criminal penalties for deceptive practices and voter intimidation, allowing the Attorney General to take corrective action against false election information. Access to voting for individuals with disabilities is significantly enhanced, requiring accessible online registration forms, absentee ballots, and election websites that meet specific accessibility standards. It mandates accessible polling places, addresses long wait times, and protects the voting rights of individuals under guardianship. The bill also expands grant programs to support voting access for individuals with disabilities and adds disability advocates to the Election Assistance Commission's (EAC) Board of Advisors. The bill includes the Democracy Restoration Act , which restores voting rights for federal elections to individuals with criminal convictions, unless they are currently serving a felony sentence in a correctional institution. It mandates that state and federal authorities notify individuals of their restored voting rights upon release or sentencing. For election administration , the Act requires the use of voter-verified permanent paper ballots for all federal elections, which serve as the official record for manual recounts and audits. It establishes requirements for statewide counting of provisional ballots and uniform, nondiscriminatory standards for their handling. The bill also mandates early voting for at least 15 days, including weekends, with minimum daily hours and strategically located polling places. Voting by mail is made more accessible by prohibiting identification requirements (other than a signature) for obtaining absentee ballots and banning notarization or witness signatures. It establishes due process for signature verification discrepancies, requiring notice and an opportunity for voters to cure issues. The bill also requires online absentee ballot applications, ensures timely ballot delivery, allows a single application for subsequent elections, and mandates accessible absentee ballots for voters with disabilities. Further, the bill sets a uniform deadline for accepting mailed ballots (postmarked by election day, received within 10 days) and requires secured drop boxes in every election jurisdiction, with specific criteria for number, accessibility, and location, including on Tribal lands. It also addresses absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters (UOCAVA) by enhancing reporting requirements, strengthening enforcement, and revising the 45-day ballot transmission rule. Other improvements include grants for poll worker recruitment and training, requirements for higher education institutions to facilitate student voter registration, and mandates for federal election contingency plans in response to disasters or emergencies.