The bill is poised to significantly impact state laws concerning voter registration and access to polling places. It aims to make registration more accessible for youth, particularly those who may face logistical challenges due to age-based voter registration restrictions currently in place. By recognizing public institutions as registration sites and encouraging on-campus polling locations, HB4916 seeks to engage young voters actively and reduce the barriers they face in exercising their right to vote. Furthermore, states will receive grant funding to promote youth involvement in electoral activities, addressing disparities and enhancing civic education.
Summary
House Bill 4916, known as the Youth Voting Rights Act, aims to enhance voting access for youth, particularly those under 18 years of age. It outlines provisions such as allowing individuals as young as 16 to pre-register for voting in federal elections, ensuring their automatic registration when they turn 18. Additionally, the bill mandates that public institutions of higher education be treated as voter registration agencies, emphasizing the importance of accessibility to voting for students on campuses. This legislation reinforces the requirements of the National Voter Registration Act and focuses on removing barriers to youth participation in elections.
Contention
Notable points of contention around the bill include potential pushback on the implementation of campus polling placements and the use of student identification as valid voter ID. Critics may argue that such measures could inadvertently complicate registration processes, particularly in states with stricter voter ID laws. Additionally, there may be debates about the implications of pre-registration for minors and concerns related to the administrative burden on educational institutions tasked with fulfilling these requirements. The act's alignment with the 26th Amendment reinforces its objective to ensure that age-based discrimination in voting is abolished, yet it remains to be seen how effectively these mandates will be adopted across different states.
Securing our Elections Act of 2025This bill establishes certain photo identification requirements for voting in federal elections.Specifically, the bill prohibits a state or local election official from providing a ballot for a federal election to an individual who does not present valid photo identification.Next, the bill outlines the availability of provisional ballots and the requirements for counting those ballots. In particular, an individual who does not present a valid photo identification must be permitted to cast a provisional ballot. However, an election official may not determine that the individual is eligible under state law to vote in the election unless, not later than three days after casting the provisional ballot, the individual presents (1) the identification required, or (2) an affidavit attesting that the individual does not possess the identification because of a religious objection to being photographed.An election official may not allow for voting methods other than in-person voting unless the individual submits the ballot with (1) a copy of their photo identification, or (2) the last four digits of their Social Security number with an affidavit attesting that the individual is unable to obtain a copy of a valid photo identification after making reasonable efforts to obtain a copy. This prohibition shall not apply to overseas military voters.The bill also requires a state to provide an individual with a valid photo identification without charge if that individual presents an affidavit attesting to an inability to afford or otherwise obtain a valid photo identification.
To amend the Small Business Act to reauthorize and modify the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Research programs, and for other purposes.