S. 4203 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, Mar 25, 2026
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryExpands voter registration and voting access
This bill makes it easier for Americans to register and vote by requiring states to offer online registration, automatic registration, and same-day registration. It also requires states to allow early voting and mail-in voting without extra conditions, provide secure drop boxes for ballots, and let people with disabilities vote by mail in federal elections. The bill also prevents voter roll purges through a practice called voter caging, protects voting rights for people with past felony convictions who are no longer in prison, and keeps funding the Election Assistance Commission to help states with these changes.
How it affects you
If you're eligible to vote, this bill would make it simpler to register and cast your ballot, whether you prefer voting early, by mail, or on Election Day. People with disabilities would have easier access to absentee voting options. People with felony convictions who have completed their sentences would gain the right to vote in federal elections. States would need to follow these new federal voting requirements.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, Mar 25, 2026)
Voter Empowerment Act of 2026
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.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
2nd SessionS. 4203
A BILL
Voter Empowerment Act of 2026
Sponsor: Sen. Kirsten E. Gillibrand (D-NY) · Introduced Mar 25, 2026 · Government Operations and Politics · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Mar 25, 2026: “Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.”
Sections
Title I — Voter Registration Modernization · 1
Title I — Voter Registration Modernization · Subtitle A — Promoting Internet Registration · 7
- Sec. 101Requiring availability of internet for voter registrationNo change
- Sec. 102Use of internet to update registration informationNo change
- Sec. 103Provision of election information by electronic mail to individuals registered to voteNo change
- Sec. 104Clarification of requirement regarding necessary information to show eligibility to voteNo change
- Sec. 105Prohibiting State from requiring applicants to provide more than last 4 digits of Social Security numberNo change
- Sec. 106Application of rules to certain exempt StatesNo change
- Sec. 107Effective dateNo change
Title I — Voter Registration Modernization · Subtitle B — Automatic Voter Registration · 11
- Sec. 111Short title; findings and purposeNo change
- Sec. 112Automatic registration of eligible individualsNo change
- Sec. 113Contributing agency assistance in registrationNo change
- Sec. 114One-time contributing agency assistance in registration of eligible voters in existing recordsNo change
- Sec. 115Voter protection and security in automatic registrationNo change
- Sec. 116Registration portability and correctionNo change
- Sec. 117Payments and grantsNo change
- Sec. 118Treatment of exempt StatesNo change
- Sec. 119Miscellaneous provisionsNo change
- Sec. 120DefinitionsNo change
- Sec. 121Effective dateNo change
Title I — Voter Registration Modernization · Subtitle C — Same Day Voter Registration · 1
Title I — Voter Registration Modernization · Subtitle D — Conditions on Removal on Basis of Interstate Cross-Checks · 1
Title I — Voter Registration Modernization · Subtitle E — Other Initiatives To Promote Voter Registration · 4
- Sec. 151Biennial reports on voter registration statisticsNo change
- Sec. 152Ensuring pre-election registration deadlines are consistent with timing of legal public holidaysNo change
- Sec. 153Use of Postal Service hard copy change of address form to remind individuals to update voter registrationNo change
- Sec. 154Grants to States for activities to encourage involvement of minors in election activitiesNo change
Title I — Voter Registration Modernization · Subtitle F — Availability of HAVA Requirements Payments · 1
Title I — Voter Registration Modernization · Subtitle G — Prohibiting Interference With Voter Registration · 2
Title I — Voter Registration Modernization · Subtitle H — Voter Registration Efficiency Act · 2
Title I — Voter Registration Modernization · Subtitle I — Providing Voter Registration Information to Secondary School Students · 3
Title I — Voter Registration Modernization · Subtitle J — Voter Registration of Minors · 1
Title II — Access to Voting for Individuals With Disabilities · 8
- Sec. 201Requirements for States to promote access to voter registration and voting for individuals with disabilitiesNo change
- Sec. 202Establishment and maintenance of State accessible election websitesNo change
- Sec. 203Protections for in-person voting for individuals with disabilities and older individualsNo change
- Sec. 204Protections for individuals subject to guardianshipNo change
- Sec. 205Expansion and reauthorization of grant program to assure voting access for individuals with disabilitiesNo change
- Sec. 206Appointments to EAC Board of AdvisorsNo change
- Sec. 207Pilot programs for enabling individuals with disabilities to register to vote privately and independently at residencesNo change
- Sec. 208GAO analysis and report on voting access for individuals with disabilitiesNo change
Title III — Prohibiting Voter Caging · 2
Title IV — Prohibiting Deceptive Practices and Preventing Voter Intimidation · 4
Title V — Democracy Restoration · 9
- Sec. 501Short titleNo change
- Sec. 502FindingsNo change
- Sec. 503Rights of citizensNo change
- Sec. 504EnforcementNo change
- Sec. 505Notification of restoration of voting rightsNo change
- Sec. 506DefinitionsNo change
- Sec. 507Relation to other lawsNo change
- Sec. 508Federal prison fundsNo change
- Sec. 509Effective dateNo change
Title VI — Promoting Accuracy, Integrity, and Security Through Voter-Verified Permanent Paper Ballot · 7
- Sec. 601Short titleNo change
- Sec. 602Paper ballot and manual counting requirementsNo change
- Sec. 603Accessibility and ballot verification for individuals with disabilitiesNo change
- Sec. 604Durability and readability requirements for ballotsNo change
- Sec. 605Study and report on optimal ballot designNo change
- Sec. 606Paper ballot printing requirementsNo change
- Sec. 607Effective date for new requirementsNo change
Title VII — Provisional Ballots · 1
Title VIII — Early Voting · 1
Title IX — Voting by Mail · 4
Title X — Absent Uniformed Services Voters and Overseas Voters · 7
- Sec. 1001Pre-election reports on availability and transmission of absentee ballotsNo change
- Sec. 1002EnforcementNo change
- Sec. 1003Revisions to 45-day absentee ballot transmission ruleNo change
- Sec. 1004Use of single absentee ballot application for subsequent electionsNo change
- Sec. 1005Extending guarantee of residency for voting purposes to family members of absent military personnelNo change
- Sec. 1006Requiring transmission of blank absentee ballots under UOCAVA to certain votersNo change
- Sec. 1007Effective dateNo change
Title XI — Poll Worker Recruitment and Training · 2
Title XII — Enhancement of Enforcement · 1
Title XIII — Federal Election Integrity · 1
Title XIV — Promoting Voter Access Through Election Administration Improvements · Subtitle A — Promoting Voter Access · 7
- Sec. 1401Treatment of institutions of higher educationNo change
- Sec. 1402Minimum notification requirements for voters affected by polling place changesNo change
- Sec. 1403Permitting use of sworn written statement to meet identification requirements for votingNo change
- Sec. 1404Accommodations for voters residing in Indian landsNo change
- Sec. 1405Ensuring equitable and efficient operation of polling placesNo change
- Sec. 1406Requiring States to provide secured drop boxes for voted absentee ballots in elections for Federal officeNo change
- Sec. 1407Prohibiting States from restricting curbside votingNo change
Title XIV — Promoting Voter Access Through Election Administration Improvements · Subtitle B — Disaster and Emergency Contingency Plans · 1
Title XIV — Promoting Voter Access Through Election Administration Improvements · Subtitle C — Improvements in Operation of Election Assistance Commission · 5
- Sec. 1421Reauthorization of Election Assistance CommissionNo change
- Sec. 1422Requiring States to participate in post-general election surveysNo change
- Sec. 1423Reports by National Institute of Standards and Technology on use of funds transferred from Election Assistance CommissionNo change
- Sec. 1424Recommendations to improve operations of Election Assistance CommissionNo change
- Sec. 1425Repeal of exemption of Election Assistance Commission from certain government contracting requirementsNo change