Bill > HR738

This bill aims to amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to establish a universal right to vote by mail in federal elections. The legislation would require states to allow all eligible voters to vote by mail without imposing additional conditions beyond a reasonable deadline for requesting and returning ballots. The bill includes provisions to protect voters' rights by mandating that election officials provide notice and an opportunity to cure any signature discrepancies or ballot defects. If a voter's signature appears different from official records, the election official must make a good faith effort to contact the voter and allow them three days after the ballot deadline to resolve the issue. Similarly, if a ballot is missing a signature or contains other defects, the voter must be notified and given a chance to correct the problem. The bill's findings highlight that 36 states already allow no-excuse absentee voting, and it argues that mail voting can increase voter participation, provide more time for ballot consideration, and reduce polling place wait times. The legislation would take effect for federal elections beginning in 2026, while explicitly preserving states' ability to maintain traditional polling places. Importantly, the bill emphasizes that there is no evidence suggesting mail voting is more susceptible to fraud than other voting methods.

Government Affairs

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/738/all-info