HR 7874
Mail Ballot Integrity Act
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Bill overview
This bill, the Mail Ballot Integrity Act, aims to restrict how states handle mail-in ballots for federal elections. It prohibits states from sending unsolicited ballots to individuals who haven’t requested them and requires a written request with a sworn statement confirming eligibility. The bill outlines specific criteria for eligibility, including military members, students, clergy, those temporarily absent, and those with certain disabilities. States can maintain a list of voters who have previously qualified for mail-in ballots, but only for those who continue to meet the established criteria.
Key provisions
- Prohibits states from distributing unsolicited mail-in ballots for federal elections.
- Requires a written request with a sworn statement of eligibility for mail-in ballots.
- Establishes specific eligibility criteria for receiving mail-in ballots (military, students, clergy, temporary absence, disability, etc.).
- Allows states to maintain a list of voters who have previously qualified for mail-in ballots, subject to eligibility criteria.
- Specifies that requests for ballots must be submitted in person, by mail, or electronically.
- Requires documentation to support eligibility claims for certain categories (disability, Social Security benefits, etc.).
- Defines ‘eligible voters’ as those on the official list in a state.
- Sets the effective date for the law’s provisions to elections occurring after enactment.
Who is affected
- State governments
- Federal voters
- Eligible voters (military, students, clergy, etc.)
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119th CONGRESS — 2d Session
H. R. 7874
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
A BILL
To prohibit a State from distributing unsolicited ballots for voting by mail in any election for Federal office, and for other purposes.
This Act may be cited as the Mail Ballot Integrity Act
.
The individual submits (in person, by mail, or electronically) a written or electronic request for the ballot that includes an affirmation, under penalty of perjury, that the individual meets one or more of the eligibility criteria under paragraph (2).
An individual who is on the official list of eligible voters in an election for Federal office in a State is eligible to request and receive a mail-in ballot for a Federal election in the State only if the individual—
is a member of the uniformed services (as defined in section 101(a) of title 10, United States Code) on active duty, or the spouse or dependent of such a member;
is a student, instructor, or professor at an institution of higher education located outside the county in which the voter is registered to vote and resides outside that county by reason thereof, or is the spouse or dependent accompanying and residing with such individual;
is a minister, priest, rabbi, or other member of the clergy assigned to a religious post outside the county of registration, or is the spouse or dependent accompanying and residing with such individual;
expects to be temporarily absent from the county in which the voter is registered to vote during the early voting period and on election day;
after the close of voter registration, has moved residence to another county more than 100 miles from the county seat of the former residence;
is involuntarily confined in an institution for mental treatment outside the county of registration and is not interdicted or judicially declared incompetent;
resides outside the United States;
expects to be hospitalized on election day and did not have knowledge of the hospitalization until after the time for early voting expired (or was hospitalized during early voting, or is restricted to bed by a physician during early voting and on election day);
meets the criteria for participation in a former State program for voters with disabilities in any State that has such a program;
is incarcerated in an institution inside or outside the county of registration but is not serving a sentence for a felony conviction;
is a participant in a State address confidentiality program;
has a disability and submits documentation with respect to—
a current mobility impairment identification card with photograph and international symbol of accessibility;
current documentation of eligibility for Social Security disability benefits, veterans disability benefits, paratransit services, benefits from a State office for citizens with developmental disabilities, or benefits from State rehabilitation services; or
current proof of disability from a physician, optometrist, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner; or
has attained the age of 65 years or older.
This section shall apply with respect to elections for Federal office occurring on and after the date of the enactment of this Act.