___ Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 6936
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Government Operations and Politics
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-01-02: Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-18T15:51:06Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H.R. 6936
Purpose
The bill aims to strengthen voter eligibility for federal elections by mandating that voters provide both government-issued photo identification and proof of U.S. citizenship when casting ballots. This is intended to prevent non-citizens from voting and ensure the integrity of federal elections.
Key Provisions
- Voting Requirements:
- For in-person voting: Voters must present either a single document that serves as both proof of U.S. citizenship and government photo ID, or separate documents for each, with matching names (or evidence of a name change, such as a marriage certificate or court order).
- For absentee or mail-in voting: Voters must submit copies of the required documents along with their ballot.
- Provisional Ballots: If a voter lacks the required documents, they can cast a provisional ballot (a temporary ballot that is held pending verification). It will only count if election officials later confirm U.S. citizenship under state law.
- Definitions:
- Government photo identification: A valid ID card from federal, state, or tribal government with the voter's photo, full name, and date of birth (e.g., driver's license or passport).
- Proof of U.S. citizenship: Documents such as a U.S. passport, certified birth certificate, naturalization certificate, military service record showing U.S. birth, or consular report of birth abroad.
- Criminal Penalties: Adds federal crimes under the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, including fines or up to 5 years in prison for knowingly helping a non-citizen vote or providing a ballot to someone without the required ID and citizenship proof.
- Effective Date: Applies to the November 2026 general election for federal office and all subsequent federal elections.
- Short Title: Not specified in the bill text (placeholder as "___ Act").
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA) by adding a new section (303A) that overrides other laws to impose these strict ID and citizenship requirements for federal elections.
- Repeals parts of HAVA's existing photo ID rules for mail registrants, simplifying and replacing them with the new unified requirements.
- Updates the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to include new penalties for violations related to non-citizen voting and improper ballot distribution.
- Makes clerical changes to HAVA's table of contents and enforcement sections to align with the new rules.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: State and local election officials will need to verify documents, process provisional ballots, and handle increased administrative workloads, potentially requiring new training, systems, or resources for citizenship checks.
- On Citizens: Eligible U.S. citizens without easy access to required documents (e.g., due to cost, lost records, or rural locations) may face barriers to voting, leading to more provisional ballots and possible delays in vote counting. It could reduce voter turnout among certain groups while aiming to build trust in election security.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though stricter citizenship verification might indirectly affect perceptions of U.S. election processes abroad, particularly regarding immigration and non-citizen rights.
Main Stakeholders
- Voters: All U.S. citizens eligible to vote in federal elections, especially those who vote by mail or lack standard IDs/documents.
- Election Officials: State and local administrators responsible for ballot processing, verification, and compliance.
- Government Entities: Federal agencies (e.g., Department of Homeland Security for naturalization records), state vital records offices, and tribal governments issuing IDs or birth certificates.
- Non-Citizens: Indirectly affected, as the bill targets prevention of their participation in voting.
- Advocacy Groups: Organizations focused on voting rights, election integrity, and immigrant communities may monitor or challenge implementation.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill could invite lawsuits under the Voting Rights Act or equal protection clauses, as similar ID laws have been challenged for potentially discriminating against minorities, low-income voters, or the elderly who may struggle to obtain documents. It shifts authority to states for verification while imposing federal standards.
- Constitutional: Raises questions about the right to vote (protected under the 14th, 15th, 19th, 24th, and 26th Amendments), balancing election security against access; courts may scrutinize if requirements unduly burden voters without evidence of widespread non-citizen voting.
- Political: Likely to spark debate on voter suppression versus fraud prevention, influencing partisan divides in Congress and state legislatures; its referral to the House Administration Committee suggests focus on election reform amid ongoing national discussions on voting laws.
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]
Recent Actions
- 2026-01-02: Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
- 2026-01-02: Introduced in House
- 2026-01-02: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- ___ Act — issued 2026-01-02 — PDF (10 pages)