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118th Congress Government Operations and Politics

H.R. 5294: Unhoused Voter Opportunity Through Elections Act

Introduced

  1. Introduced (completed)Aug 25, 2023
  2. Passed House (not reached)
  3. Passed Senate (not reached)
  4. To the President (not reached)
  5. Became law (not reached)

Summary

Introduced in House, Aug 25, 2023

This bill expands voter registration and voting access for unhoused individuals.

The bill specifies that no state or political subdivision may deny or abridge the right of any U.S. citizen to vote because the citizen resides at or in a nontraditional abode.

Additionally, the bill requires jurisdictions that allow for ballot drop boxes to ensure that these drop boxes are available for in-person use and are accessible and clearly labeled.

Read the full summary

If a state requires individuals to show proof of residence in order to vote in a federal election, then the state must accept the individual’s written attestation of residence. A state may not prohibit an individual who is residing in a homeless shelter from using the shelter as the individual’s residence for purposes of voting in a federal election.

The bill requires chief state election officials to conduct outreach to unhoused individuals.

The bill directs the Election Assistance Commission to (1) develop best practices for election officials regarding voter registration and voting access for unhoused individuals, and (2) make grants to eligible states and local governments for programs and activities to support access to voting for unhoused individuals.

The bill also revises the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, including by (1) treating emergency shelters as voter registration agencies, and (2) allowing an unhoused individual to use an unsheltered street location as the individual's place of residence for purposes of a voter registration application.

Written by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

Roll calls

0 votes on this bill

No roll call votes have been held on this bill.

Amendments

0 offered

No amendments were offered to this bill.

Cosponsors

69

Who scored on this bill

12 points earned
  1. 1Nikema Williams D-GA SponsorReached a cosponsor milestone, introduced3 events+12
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Introductions and cosponsorships count toward weekly caps and show no points.

Other bills by Nikema Williams

History

  1. Aug 25, 2023Introduced in the House by Nikema Williams.
Show the full action history (2 actions)
  1. Aug 25, 2023Introduced in House
  2. Aug 25, 2023Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, 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.