HR160-119

What This Bill Does

The Restoring Faith in Elections Act is a broad federal election bill. It adds Help America Vote Act standards for mail-in ballot requests, identity and residence confirmation, deadlines, ballot fulfillment, and secure uniform mail voting when state law permits mail voting. It adds election-result reporting standards. It creates automatic voter registration through state contributing agencies, including existing-record transfers, voter protections that prevent automatic registration from being used as immigration or criminal evidence, registration portability and correction at polling places, and Election Assistance Commission grants. It applies some rules to states with existing automatic voter registration programs. It requires parity among voting methods, including signature-verification standards and cost subsidies, and statewide uniform election administration procedures for federal elections. It also creates a CISA National Deconfliction Voting Database and Clearinghouse to help states prevent duplicate registrations, purge deceased voters, and ensure only citizens vote, and it requires motor vehicle applicants in a new state to attest to voter-residence intent so old-state election authorities can be notified.

Who Benefits and How

Eligible unregistered voters benefit because contributing agencies automatically transmit registration information unless the voter declines. Mail voters benefit from standardized request forms, request deadlines, confirmation rules, and timely ballot fulfillment. Voters with disabilities benefit because contributing-agency services must be available to them to the same extent as to other individuals. State election officials benefit from EAC grants, CISA deconfliction tools, and cross-state driver-license residence notices. Election-integrity advocates benefit from federal tools to identify duplicate registrations, deceased voters, noncitizen voting, and inconsistent procedures.

Who Bears the Burden and How

State election agencies must implement automatic registration, data transfer, portability, uniform procedures, and voting-method parity rules. Contributing agencies must transmit voter-registration information, provide required notices, and protect privacy and security. The Election Assistance Commission must make implementation grants and administer state applications. CISA must create and operate the National Deconfliction Voting Database and Clearinghouse. Motor vehicle authorities must collect voter-residence attestations and notify prior-state authorities when applicants intend to register in the new state.

Key Provisions

• Requires secure and uniform federal standards for mail-in ballot systems where state law permits mail voting.
• Creates automatic voter registration through state contributing agencies with privacy and voter-protection rules.
• Authorizes EAC grants for states implementing automatic registration and related requirements.
• Requires parity among voting methods and uniform election administration procedures across state jurisdictions.
• Establishes a CISA National Deconfliction Voting Database and Clearinghouse for voter registration integrity.