To ensure election integrity and security and enhance Americans' access to the ballot box by establishing consistent standards and procedures for voter registration and voting in elections for Federal office, and for other purposes.
1/8/2025, 1:40 PMSummary of Bill HR 160
Bill 119 hr 160, also known as the "For the People Act of 2021," aims to improve election integrity and security while also increasing access to voting for Americans. The bill sets forth consistent standards and procedures for voter registration and voting in federal elections.Key provisions of the bill include:
1. Automatic voter registration: States would be required to automatically register eligible individuals to vote when they interact with certain government agencies, such as the Department of Motor Vehicles. 2. Same-day voter registration: States would be required to allow individuals to register to vote on the same day as an election. 3. Online voter registration: States would be required to offer online voter registration options to make it easier for individuals to register to vote. 4. Early voting: States would be required to provide at least 15 days of early voting for federal elections. 5. Voting by mail: States would be required to allow any eligible voter to request and submit a mail-in ballot for federal elections. 6. Election security measures: The bill includes provisions to enhance election security, such as requiring paper ballots and implementing risk-limiting audits. Overall, the "For the People Act of 2021" aims to streamline the voter registration process, expand access to voting, and strengthen election security measures to ensure fair and secure federal elections.
Congressional Summary of HR 160
Restoring Faith in Elections Act
This bill establishes certain standards for voting, including voting by mail, in federal elections. It also establishes certain requirements for voter registration and maintenance of official lists of eligible voters.
First, the bill establishes certain requirements for voting by mail in federal elections, including by requiring mail-in ballots to be received by the time the polls close on election day.
Additionally, the bill makes it unlawful to possess or return a mail-in ballot completed by another person (commonly referred to as ballot harvesting), with exceptions. A violator is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to one year, or both.
Further, the bill establishes certain requirements for reporting results of federal elections, including by requiring states to count all eligible ballots within 24 hours after the election.
Next, the bill provides for the automatic registration of eligible voters. The Election Assistance Commission must make grants to states to implement these automatic voter registration programs.
It also requires states and jurisdictions to use standards that apply equally to all methods of voting used in federal elections, including standards related to signature verification.
Finally, the bill establishes the National Deconfliction Voting Database and Clearinghouse to serve as a database and clearinghouse for voter registration records and lists of eligible voters. Additionally, each state must certify that it has removed ineligible voters from the official list of eligible voters prior to the federal election.
