Voter Purge Protection Act

Summary

Limits when states can remove people from federal voter registration lists by requiring objective, reliable proof that a registrant is ineligible. The bill bars using nonvoting or nonresponse (unless mail is returned as undeliverable) as grounds for removal, requires individualized notice to anyone removed within 48 hours, mandates public notice and accessibility for list maintenance, and tightens rules for removals based on address-change information. The changes take effect on enactment.

• States can remove a voter from federal registration lists only after objective, reliable verification of ineligibility.
• Nonvoting and general failure-to-respond cannot be used as evidence of ineligibility, except when a mailed notice is returned as undeliverable.
• States must send individualized removal notices to affected registrants within 48 hours with reasons and contest/reinstatement instructions, with limited exceptions.
• States must publish public notice within 48 hours after general list-maintenance and ensure accessibility for voters with disabilities.
• Address-change removals under the federal procedure are prohibited unless backed by objective, reliable evidence of a residence change.
• The bill amends existing federal voter-roll maintenance and Help America Vote Act obligations to be subject to the new standards.
• Changes are effective on enactment and the law does not specify new federal funding for the added requirements.
• Likely reduces wrongful removals but increases administrative responsibilities and potential costs for state and local election officials.