Making American Elections Great Again Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 4798
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Government Operations and Politics
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-07-29: Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Government Reform, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-18T15:51:05Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
This bill, titled the "Making American Elections Great Again Act," aims to reform the U.S. Census and federal election processes. It seeks to adjust the timing of population censuses, limit the count to U.S. citizens only for apportioning seats in the House of Representatives, and mandate strict identification requirements to verify citizenship when voting in federal elections. The goal is to ensure that representation and voting rights are tied exclusively to citizenship status.
Key Provisions
- Census Modifications (Section 2):
- Shifts the decennial (every 10 years) census timing to begin on the date of the bill's enactment (July 29, 2025) and recur every 10 years thereafter, replacing the previous schedule tied to years ending in zero (e.g., 2030).
- Introduces a "mid-decade census" five years after each decennial census for additional population data.
- Requires census questionnaires to include a checkbox or similar option for respondents to indicate U.S. citizenship status for themselves and household members.
- Mandates that House apportionment (distribution of seats among states) and electoral votes be based solely on the number of U.S. citizens, excluding non-citizens (such as legal immigrants or undocumented individuals).
- Voter Identification and Citizenship Proof Requirements (Section 3):
- For in-person voting in federal elections, voters must present either a single document proving both U.S. citizenship and including a government-issued photo (e.g., passport), or separate documents for each (e.g., birth certificate plus driver's license), with name-matching rules and allowances for name-change evidence like marriage certificates.
- For mail or absentee voting, voters must submit copies of these documents with their ballot.
- If documents are not provided, voters can cast a provisional ballot (a temporary vote held until verified), which is only counted if election officials confirm U.S. citizenship under existing state procedures.
- Defines "government photo identification" as a valid ID card from federal, state, or tribal governments with a photo, full name, and birth date (e.g., driver's license or tribal ID).
- Defines "proof of U.S. citizenship" as documents like a U.S. passport, certified birth certificate, naturalization certificate, military service record showing U.S. birth, or consular birth report for citizens born abroad.
- Adds criminal penalties under the National Voter Registration Act, making it a federal crime to assist non-citizens in voting or to provide ballots to voters without the required ID and proof.
- Applies to all federal elections starting with the November 2026 general election.
- Other Changes:
- Requires states to redistrict for House elections based on the first new census, effective for the 120th Congress (starting in 2027).
- Makes conforming amendments to repeal some existing photo ID rules for mail-in voter registration and updates enforcement references in the Help America Vote Act of 2002.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Census and Apportionment: Amends the Census Act (13 U.S.C. § 141) to alter timing and add citizenship questions, overriding the current practice of counting all residents (citizens and non-citizens) for apportionment under the 1929 Reapportionment Act (2 U.S.C. § 2a). Previously, the census occurred in years ending in zero, with no mandatory citizenship checkbox since 1950.
- Voting Requirements: Inserts new Section 303A into the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. § 21081 et seq.), introducing nationwide citizenship proof mandates that go beyond current state-level voter ID laws. It strengthens provisional ballot rules and expands criminal penalties in the National Voter Registration Act (52 U.S.C. § 20511), while repealing targeted ID rules for mail registrants.
- These changes shift from inclusive population counting to citizen-only metrics and from variable state ID rules to uniform federal standards.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Census Bureau would need to redesign questionnaires, implement new sampling methods, and conduct an accelerated first census starting in 2025, potentially increasing costs and logistical challenges. Election officials at state and local levels must verify documents, which could strain resources and require new training or systems. The Department of Justice may see more enforcement roles due to added criminal provisions.
- On Citizens: U.S. citizens without easy access to required documents (e.g., rural residents, elderly, or low-income individuals) may face barriers to voting, leading to lower turnout via provisional ballots. Representation in Congress could shift toward states with higher citizen-to-total-population ratios, affecting federal funding formulas tied to population data.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though excluding non-citizens from apportionment might influence U.S. discussions on immigration policy or be viewed abroad as prioritizing native-born populations, potentially straining relations with countries sending immigrants.
- Broader Effects: Could lead to more frequent population updates for policy planning (e.g., via mid-decade censuses) but risks disputes over census accuracy and redistricting timelines.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. Citizens: Directly impacted as voters (must provide proof to vote) and beneficiaries of citizen-based representation; some groups (e.g., naturalized citizens or those with name changes) may need extra documentation.
- Non-Citizens (Legal and Undocumented Immigrants): Excluded from census counts for apportionment, reducing influence on state representation without affecting their ineligibility to vote.
- States and Local Governments: Must adjust redistricting processes and election administration; states with large immigrant populations (e.g., California, Texas) could lose House seats.
- Election Officials and Political Parties: Officials face new verification burdens; parties in citizen-heavy states may gain seats, while others could lose influence.
- Vulnerable Populations: Includes minorities, the elderly, and low-income groups who might struggle with document access, potentially affecting turnout in federal elections.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal Implications: The bill could face lawsuits under the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which prohibits discriminatory voting practices, or for creating undue burdens on voters (as in cases like Crawford v. Marion County Election Board, 2008, on ID laws). Document verification processes might raise privacy concerns under laws like the Privacy Act.
- Constitutional Implications: Challenges the 14th Amendment's apportionment clause, which bases representation on the "whole number of persons" in each state (including non-citizens, per historical interpretations). It also intersects with Article I, Section 2 on census duties, potentially requiring Supreme Court review on whether excluding non-citizens violates equal protection or due process.
- Political Implications: As a partisan bill introduced by Republican representatives, it emphasizes election integrity and citizenship priorities, which could polarize debates on immigration and voting access. If enacted, it might prompt state-level adaptations or ballot initiatives, influencing future congressional power balances.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Greene, Marjorie Taylor [R-GA-14]
Cosponsors (4)
Rep. Davidson, Warren [R-OH-8], Rep. Collins, Mike [R-GA-10], Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1], Rep. Biggs, Sheri [R-SC-3]
Recent Actions
- 2025-07-29: Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Government Reform, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-07-29: Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Government Reform, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-07-29: Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Government Reform, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-07-29: Introduced in House
- 2025-07-29: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Making American Elections Great Again Act — issued 2025-07-29 — PDF (13 pages)