Sponsors (2)
The bill returns control of voter registration procedures to states and reduces federal compliance obligations, but it risks reducing convenient registration access for millions, disproportionately harming disadvantaged communities, creating a confusing patchwork of rules, and imposing new administrative costs.
State and local election officials regain full control over voter registration procedures previously constrained by the federal NVRA, allowing states to set their own registration rules and processes.
States may see reduced federal compliance costs by no longer having to follow NVRA mandates, lowering immediate administrative expenses for some state governments.
Millions of eligible voters who relied on DMV, mail, and the federal registration form could lose convenient registration options and face higher barriers to register.
Low-income, racial/ethnic minority, and rural communities — which historically have lower registration rates — are likely to experience disproportionate drops in registration and turnout.
Removing federal standards risks creating a patchwork of state rules that increases confusion for voters and may prompt litigation over voter access.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Repeals the 1993 National Voter Registration Act, ending federal requirements for registration at DMVs, public assistance offices, and standardized mail registration.
Repeals the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, removing the federal law that requires states to offer voter registration at motor vehicle offices, public assistance agencies, and to accept a standardized mail-in registration form. The repeal eliminates the federal baseline rules that currently shape how many Americans can register to vote and how states maintain voter rolls. Removing this statute shifts responsibility and discretion to states and local election officials. The practical effects will vary by state: some may keep similar rules, while others could reduce points of access to registration, change list-maintenance practices, and create more variation in who can easily register to vote.
Introduced January 3, 2025 by Andrew S. Biggs · Last progress January 3, 2025