New Federal Voting Integrity Rules

Summary#

HR 7300 would set new national rules for federal elections. It focuses on voter identification, proof of U.S. citizenship to register, voter list maintenance, mail voting limits, paper ballots, and information sharing. The stated goal is to “promote the integrity and improve the administration of elections for Federal office.”

Key changes:

• Requires a valid photo ID to vote in person, and added ID steps for voting by mail, starting in 2027.
• Requires documentary proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote in federal elections, and directs states to verify using federal and state databases.
• Requires states to regularly remove ineligible voters from rolls at least every 30 days, with set procedures and public reporting of removals.
• Bans ranked choice voting in general elections for federal office, and ends universal vote-by-mail; mail ballots would be by voter request only.
• Requires paper ballots for in-person voting, barcode tracking on ballot envelopes, and that mail ballots arrive by poll closing on Election Day to count (with military/overseas exceptions).
• Bars federal agencies from conducting voter registration or partnering with nonprofits to do registration on agency property or websites.
• Expands information sharing (with DOJ, DHS, SSA, courts) and permits HAVA funds for post-election audits.

What it means for you#

• Voters (in person)

  • You must show a valid physical photo ID to receive a ballot. If you do not have one, you can cast a provisional ballot but must return within 3 days with ID, or file a sworn statement of a religious objection to being photographed.
  • Acceptable IDs include a state driver’s license or ID with photo and expiration date, U.S. passport, military ID, or Tribal ID with photo and expiration date. Student IDs are not accepted under this bill.
  • Government buildings (like courts, libraries, police stations) must provide free access to a copier/scanner so you can copy your ID if needed.

• Voters (by mail/absentee)

  • You must include a copy of a valid photo ID with your ballot, or provide the last four digits of your Social Security number plus a sworn statement that you could not obtain a copy despite reasonable efforts.
  • Your ballot must be received by the close of polls on Election Day to count. Ballots arriving after polls close could not be counted, even if postmarked on time. (This does not apply to military and overseas voters.)
  • States must process mail ballots as they arrive (no earlier than 22 days before the election), but cannot count them until polls close.
  • Only you, an immediate family member, or your caregiver may possess or return your mail ballot. No one may hold more than 4 mail ballots at a time. A person returning someone else’s ballot must show their own government photo ID and submit a signed affidavit from both the voter and the returner.

• People registering to vote

  • You must provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship to register for federal elections, plus the last 4 digits of your SSN and proof of residence (such as a driver’s license). If you lack an SSN or license, the state must assign you a unique ID number.
  • If you register by mail using the national form, you must include proof of citizenship or show it in person by the deadline (or at the polls in states that allow same-day registration).
  • If you cannot provide standard documents, states must offer a process to submit other evidence under oath; an election official must sign an affidavit explaining why it is sufficient.
  • If your name changed, you may use documents in a previous name with added proof or a sworn statement.

• Students

  • Student IDs are excluded as valid photo ID for voting under this bill. You would need one of the listed government IDs.

• Military and overseas voters

  • You are exempt from some ID copy requirements for mail voting, and from the Election Day receipt deadline.

• Naturalized or new citizens

  • DHS must notify your state election officials when you become a U.S. citizen.

• People who move

  • States must use Postal Service change-of-address data and other sources to update rolls. If you moved, you may be asked to confirm your address. You can vote after moving within the same area by showing proof of new address.

• People with felony convictions

  • U.S. Attorneys must notify state election officials after federal felony convictions. How this affects your voting eligibility depends on state law.

• Caregivers and family members

  • You may return a limited number of ballots for immediate family or someone you care for, but you must show your own government photo ID and complete required forms.

• State election officials and DMVs

  • Must create or update statewide voter registration databases, assign unique voter IDs, and enter into data-sharing agreements (DMV-SSA, election officials-DOJ, election officials-DHS). Must verify citizenship and other eligibility data, audit rolls at least every 30 days, send notices, and publish certain list-maintenance records.
  • DMVs must ask license applicants if they recently lived in another state and whether the new state should be their voting residence, and notify the prior state if so.

• Federal agencies and nonprofits

  • Federal agencies could not register voters or partner with nonprofits to register or mobilize voters on agency property or websites. Agencies may still share eligibility information (such as citizenship status) with election officials.
  • States and DOJ must have fraud-related information-sharing agreements to receive federal election funds.

• All voters (ballots and counting)

  • In-person voting must use paper ballots (hand-marked or via a ballot-marking device), and those paper ballots are the official record for audits and recounts.
  • Ranked choice voting may not be used for general elections for federal offices.
  • States may not automatically mail ballots to all voters for federal elections; you must request a mail ballot on a standardized form at least 30 days before Election Day.
  • Ballot envelopes must include a USPS tracking barcode and meet postal design standards.

• Government and security

  • DHS and the Director of National Intelligence must report to Congress and states on election threats 60–30 days before each federal general election.
  • Federal courts must report to states and USCIS when someone is excused from jury duty for not being a citizen; states must verify and remove noncitizens from voter rolls.

• Timing

  • Many major provisions (photo ID for voting, proof of citizenship to register, database and ballot-deadline rules) start in 2027. Some items apply sooner (for example, paper ballots 30 days after enactment; Real ID citizenship marking and USPS tracking upon enactment; funding uses and DOJ agreements starting FY2026).

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Possible cost areas and trade-offs:

• States may face costs to:
  • build or upgrade statewide voter registration databases and matching systems;
  • enter and operate data-sharing agreements (with DOJ, DHS, SSA);
  • verify citizenship documents, process exceptions, and send required notices;
  • perform voter roll checks at least every 30 days and publish records;
  • provide free access to copiers/scanners at government buildings;
  • redesign and print compliant ballot envelopes with USPS barcodes and logos;
  • manage earlier mail ballot processing and added recordkeeping;
  • conduct post-election audits (HAVA funds could be used).
• Federal agencies (DHS, DOJ, courts) may have added workloads to share data and send notifications.
• Election offices and USPS may need technology or staffing for tracking and processing.
• States risk loss or repayment of certain federal payments if noncompliant with specified sections.

Proponents' View#

• The bill appears intended to strengthen election integrity by:
  • requiring photo ID to vote and documentary proof of U.S. citizenship to register, to reduce ineligible voting.
  • improving voter roll accuracy through frequent checks and multi-agency data matching.
  • standardizing paper ballots and record preservation to support audits and recounts.
  • limiting third-party handling of mail ballots and ending universal vote-by-mail to reduce potential ballot mishandling.
  • requiring USPS tracking on ballot envelopes and earlier processing of mail ballots to improve transparency and timely results.
• A possible argument is that banning ranked choice voting in federal general elections ensures simpler ballots and tabulation.
• Another possible argument is that regular threat reports and expanded information sharing (with DOJ and DHS) could improve detection and response to foreign and domestic threats.
• Allowing HAVA funds for post-election audits could support evidence-based verification of results.

Opponents' View#

• One concern is access: strict photo ID rules (excluding student IDs) and requiring documentary proof of citizenship may make it harder for some eligible voters—such as students, older adults, or those lacking documents—to register or vote.
• The bill does not clearly explain how errors will be avoided when removing voters at least every 30 days, and publishing names of “ineligible” voters may raise privacy and due-process concerns if mistakes occur.
• Requiring ballots to arrive by poll closing (rather than accepting on-time postmarks) may lead to more rejected ballots, especially for voters in remote areas or facing mail delays.
• Ending universal vote-by-mail and setting a 30-day request deadline could reduce options in states that rely on mailed ballots, and limits on third-party ballot return may affect homebound voters without nearby family or caregivers.
• Banning ranked choice voting in federal general elections limits states’ ability to choose their preferred voting method for those contests.
• Expanded data sharing (with DHS/SSA/DOJ) and adding citizenship markings to driver’s licenses could raise privacy and data-security questions, and increase administrative burdens and costs for states and agencies.
• Withholding federal funds for noncompliance and creating a private right of action may increase litigation risks and strain election administration.