Unhoused Voter Opportunity Through Elections Act
Unhoused Voter Opportunity Through Elections Act
Plain Language Summary
# Unhoused Voter Opportunity Through Elections Act (HR 4914) - Plain Language Summary **What the Bill Would Do** This bill aims to make it easier for homeless individuals to vote in federal elections. It would prevent states from denying voting rights based on someone's housing status and would require states to accept a written statement of residence instead of physical proof of address. The bill also allows homeless people to use their shelter address as their official residence for voting purposes. Additionally, it would require states with ballot drop boxes to keep them accessible and clearly marked, and would mandate that state election officials actively reach out to homeless communities to help them register and vote. **Who It Affects and Key Provisions** This bill directly impacts unhoused individuals and the states that administer elections.
It creates federal standards ensuring that lack of a permanent home address cannot be used as a reason to prevent someone from voting. Key requirements include accepting written attestations of residence, allowing shelter addresses to be used for voter registration, and requiring election officials to conduct outreach to homeless populations. The bill essentially treats voting access as a right that shouldn't depend on housing status. **Current Status** The bill is currently in committee and has not yet been voted on by the full House of Representatives.
CRS Official Summary
Unhoused Voter Opportunity Through Elections Act or the Unhoused VOTE ActThis 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.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.
Latest Action
Referred 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.