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.
The legislation introduces a framework for automatic voter registration, mandating states to create systems that automatically register eligible citizens using information from government agencies, unless voters expressly decline. This could streamline the voter registration process and ensure higher participation rates. Additionally, the establishment of a National Deconfliction Voting Database aims to maintain updated voter registration records and ensure that ineligible voters are removed from the rolls prior to elections. These changes could lead to improved integrity in the voter registration process and greater confidence in electoral outcomes.
House Bill 156, titled the 'Restoring Faith in Elections Act', aims to ensure election integrity, enhance security, and facilitate access to voting for Americans by establishing uniform standards and procedures for voter registration and mail-in voting in federal elections. The bill proposes that mail-in ballots must be received by the close of polls on election day, and outlines penalties for unlawful possession and return of mail-in ballots completed by others, with exceptions for immediate family members and caregivers. This aspect of the legislation addresses concerns regarding ballot harvesting, targeting instances of potential fraud.
The bill has sparked a debate among lawmakers regarding states' rights and the federal government's role in elections. Supporters argue that federal standards are necessary to combat voter disenfranchisement and enhance election security. Critics, however, express concerns that such oversight could undermine local election systems and infringe on states' rights to conduct their elections as they see fit. The requirements for standardized voting procedures and maintenance of voter registration lists may also lead to increased administrative burdens for states, particularly those already managing their voter registration processes under existing laws.