Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress Senate Bill SB5151

Introduced
9/24/24  

Caption

Voter Registration Modernization Act of 2024 Voter Registration Efficiency Act Automatic Voter Registration Act of 2024 Voter Confidence and Increased Accessibility Act of 2024 Democracy Restoration Act of 2024 Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2024

Impact

The proposed legislation introduces significant reforms by requiring states to adopt automatic voter registration, thereby alleviating the burden of manual registration. It enforces guidelines to improve accessibility, particularly for Individuals with Disabilities, ensuring that absentee ballots and registration processes are more easily navigable and supportive of modern technology. This shift aims to increase voting accessibility and encourage participation regardless of physical or logistical challenges.

Summary

Senate Bill 5151, titled the Voter Empowerment Act of 2024, aims to modernize the voting process and improve access for individuals with disabilities and marginalized groups. The bill mandates the establishment of automatic voter registration systems at the state level, simplifying the registration for eligible citizens by allowing their information to be electronically transferred from various government agencies. This process aims to enhance voter participation across demographics, particularly among young citizens and minorities who often experience barriers to voting.

Contention

Despite the positive intentions behind SB5151, there are notable contentions among state officials and political entities regarding the implications of automatic registration and changes to voting processes. Critics may argue that implementing these systematic changes could lead to administrative complications or raise concerns about election integrity, especially with provisions that permit electronic transmission of voter information and ballots. Additionally, some policymakers may fear that these reforms could inadvertently facilitate voter fraud, despite assurances aimed at maintaining electoral security.

Companion Bills

US HB9727

Related Voter Empowerment Act of 2024 Voter Registration Efficiency Act Automatic Voter Registration Act of 2024 Voter Confidence and Increased Accessibility Act of 2024 Democracy Restoration Act of 2024 Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2024 Voter Registration Modernization Act of 2024

US HB10032

Related Dropbox Access Act

Similar Bills

US HB9727

Voter Empowerment Act of 2024 Voter Registration Efficiency Act Automatic Voter Registration Act of 2024 Voter Confidence and Increased Accessibility Act of 2024 Democracy Restoration Act of 2024 Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2024 Voter Registration Modernization Act of 2024

US HB160

Restoring Faith in Elections ActThis 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.

US HB4563

ACE Act End Zuckerbucks Act of 2023 Solving an Overlooked Loophole in Votes for Executives (SOLVE) Act Promoting Free and Fair Elections Act Don't Weaponize the IRS Act American Confidence in Elections Act

US HB7389

Accessible Voting Act of 2024

US SB3748

Accessible Voting Act of 2024

US SB1887

Vote at Home Act of 2025

US HB10064

Military VOTE Act Military Voters Overseas Technical Enhancement Act

US SB5615

A bill to protect elections for public office by providing enhanced security for the infrastructure used to carry out such elections, and for other purposes.