Youth Voting Rights Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 4916
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Government Operations and Politics
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-08-05: Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on 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
- 2026-02-20T20:30:29Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Youth Voting Rights Act (H.R. 4916) aims to increase access to voting for young people by enforcing the 26th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which lowered the voting age to 18 and prohibits age-based discrimination in voting. It addresses ongoing barriers like registration hurdles, polling location issues, and identification requirements, while promoting early civic engagement to build lifelong voting habits.
Key Provisions
- Enforcement of the 26th Amendment (Sec. 4): Adds a private right of action to the Voting Rights Act of 1965, allowing individuals aged 18 and older to sue if voting rights are denied or limited due to age. Courts must award fees and costs to winning plaintiffs. Denials are proven if a rule or practice violates due process or equal protection under the 14th and 26th Amendments without a compelling state interest.
- Voter Registration in Higher Education (Sec. 5): Requires public colleges and universities (as defined under the Higher Education Act) to act as voter registration agencies under the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, offering registration assistance to students.
- Pre-Registration for Minors (Sec. 6): Mandates states to allow 16- and 17-year-olds to pre-register for federal elections; their registration activates at age 18. States may extend this to younger teens. Effective 90 days after enactment.
- On-Campus Polling Locations (Sec. 7): Requires states to provide polling places on campuses of public higher education institutions for federal elections, with options for private institutions if they agree. If not, alternatives like shuttles, drop boxes, or mobile units must be offered. Waivers are available from the Attorney General for unsuitable locations, with enforcement via lawsuits and fees for winners.
- Prohibition of Residency Requirements (Sec. 8): Extends the Voting Rights Act's ban on residency rules that deny voting rights to all federal elections (not just presidential). Affirms college students' right to vote from campus addresses. Includes a private right of action with fee recovery.
- Student Identification for Voting (Sec. 9): Amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to accept student IDs from higher education institutions as valid voter identification where required, if they include basic details like name and photo.
- Grants for Youth Engagement (Sec. 10): Authorizes $26 million annually starting in fiscal year 2026 for grants to states via a new Youth Engagement Fund. States must submit plans to promote pre-registration, civic education in schools, funding for student activities, paid youth fellowships with election officials, and outreach to underserved youth (e.g., low-income, non-college-bound). Includes reporting on outcomes.
- Absentee Voting Access (Sec. 11): Prohibits age-based restrictions on mail-in voting for those 18 and older under the Voting Rights Act, declaring such limits a violation of the 26th Amendment.
- Studies and Data Collection (Sec. 12): Directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to report on voting trends (registration, absentee, provisional ballots) by age and race within 180 days. Requires the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to collect and publish similar data annually, including rejection reasons, with states mandated to submit information.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Voting Rights Act of 1965: Adds enforcement for age discrimination, extends residency protections to all federal elections, and reaffirms private lawsuits (clarifying ongoing debates about enforceability).
- National Voter Registration Act of 1993: Designates public higher education offices as registration agencies and requires pre-registration processes for 16- and 17-year-olds.
- Help America Vote Act of 2002: Recognizes student IDs as valid identification and mandates state reporting on rejected ballots and applications by age and race.
- These changes build on the 26th Amendment's framework, shifting from historical focus on racial discrimination to include age-based barriers, and introduce new mandates for states while allowing limited flexibility (e.g., waivers).
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: State election officials and higher education institutions must implement new processes (e.g., on-campus polling, pre-registration), potentially increasing administrative costs but offset by federal grants. The EAC and GAO will handle expanded data collection, improving transparency in election administration.
- On Citizens: Young people (especially 16-29-year-olds) gain easier access to registration, voting, and absentee options, likely boosting turnout among students, low-income youth, and rural voters. Older voters may see indirect benefits from streamlined systems, but provisional and mail-in ballot rejections could decrease overall.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though enhanced U.S. youth participation could strengthen America's image as a inclusive democracy in global discussions on electoral rights.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Youth Voters (Ages 16-29): Primary beneficiaries, including high school students (pre-registration), college attendees (on-campus voting, student IDs), and non-college youth (outreach and grants).
- Institutions of Higher Education: Public colleges must host registration and polling; private ones may opt in or provide alternatives.
- State and Local Election Officials: Responsible for compliance, data reporting, and using grants to engage youth.
- Vulnerable Groups: Low-income, minority, rural, and transient youth face reduced barriers; older voters (65+) may see changes in absentee voting equity.
- Advocacy Organizations and Litigants: Gain tools for private enforcement through lawsuits.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Introduces private rights of action for age-based voting denials, potentially increasing litigation to challenge state practices (e.g., residency rules, ID requirements). Builds on Supreme Court precedents affirming college voting rights while clarifying the Voting Rights Act's enforceability.
- Constitutional: Invokes Congress's power under the 14th, 26th, and Elections Clauses to protect voting rights, addressing findings of systemic age discrimination without altering the 18-year minimum age.
- Political: Could normalize early voting habits, increasing youth influence on policy (e.g., education, climate). May spark partisan debates over election access, with grants incentivizing state cooperation but waivers allowing flexibility. Bipartisan historical support for the 26th Amendment is highlighted to frame it as non-partisan reform.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5]
Cosponsors (45)
Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3], Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20], Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9], Rep. Crockett, Jasmine [D-TX-30], Rep. DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1], Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17], Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37], Rep. Elfreth, Sarah [D-MD-3], Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3], Rep. Fields, Cleo [D-LA-6], Rep. Figures, Shomari [D-AL-2], Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4], Rep. Green, Al [D-TX-9], Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37], Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12], Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8], Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Rep. Mfume, Kweisi [D-MD-7], Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6], Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7], Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3], Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6], Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9], Rep. Scott, Robert C. "Bobby" [D-VA-3], Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7], Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12], Rep. Strickland, Marilyn [D-WA-10], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20], Rep. Latimer, George [D-NY-16], Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1], Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2], Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15]
Recent Actions
- 2025-08-05: Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on 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.
- 2025-08-05: Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on 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.
- 2025-08-05: Introduced in House
- 2025-08-05: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Youth Voting Rights Act — issued 2025-08-05 — PDF (39 pages)