Sponsors (25)
The bill expands voter access and likely increases turnout by allowing same-day federal voter registration with federal enforcement, but it creates operational costs, risks of ballot-processing disputes that could disenfranchise voters, and the possibility of state legal challenges and litigation expenses.
Voters who missed earlier registration deadlines — especially low-income people, students, immigrants, and mobile/young adults — can register and vote on the same day (including during early voting), reducing barriers and increasing participation in Federal elections beginning Nov 2026.
The Attorney General can seek declaratory or injunctive relief to enforce same-day registration, giving a federal remedy against noncompliant States and strengthening enforcement of the new rule.
Voters and local election officials face increased risk of provisional ballot disputes, administrative errors, and processing delays (including rejected ballots) when verifying newly registered voters at polling places.
State governments and taxpayers may challenge the federal preemption of existing state registration rules, prompting litigation and associated legal costs.
State and local election agencies will incur administrative and implementation costs to set up same-day registration procedures and update polling operations in time for the November 2026 elections.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Requires States to allow eligible voters to register or update registration and vote on the same day at polling places for any federal election day, including early voting, starting Nov 2026.
Introduced November 4, 2025 by Julia Brownley · Last progress November 4, 2025
Requires every State to allow eligible people to register to vote or update their registration and cast a ballot on the same day that voting is open for a Federal election, including during early voting, using a registration form that meets federal NVRA standards. States must comply beginning with the regularly scheduled November 2026 general Federal election, and the Attorney General may seek court orders to enforce the new requirement. The change is added to the Help America Vote Act and applies to all States except those that already have no voter registration requirement for Federal elections; the bill does not include new federal funding to help States implement the change.