summary
Introduced
In Committee
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
112th Congress
Bill Summary
Caging Prohibition Act of 2011 - Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit state or local election officials from preventing an individual from registering or voting in any election for federal office, or from permitting a formal challenge under state law to an individual's registration status or eligibility to vote, if the basis for such decision is evidence consisting of: (1) a voter caging document or voter caging list; (2) an unverified match list; (3) an error or omission on voter application or registration documents that is not material to an individual's eligibility to vote; or (4) any other evidence so designated by the Election Assistance Commission. Defines "voter caging document" as: (1) a nonforwardable document that is returned to the sender or a third party as undelivered or undeliverable despite an attempt to deliver it to the address of a registered voter or applicant; or (2) any document with instructions to an addressee that the document be returned to a sender or third party but is not so returned, despite an attempt to deliver it to the address of a registered voter, unless at least two federal election cycles have passed since the date of the attempted delivery.Defines "unverified match list" as a list produced by matching the information of registered voters or applicants to a list of individuals ineligible to vote in the registrar's jurisdiction due to death, conviction, change of address, or otherwise, unless one of the pieces of information matched includes a signature, photograph, or unique identifying number ensuring that the information from each source refers to the same individual. Requires any private individual who challenges the right of another citizen to vote to set forth in writing, under penalty of perjury, personal, first-hand knowledge establishing the grounds for ineligibility.
AI Summary
This bill, the Caging Prohibition Act of 2011, aims to prevent certain practices that could unfairly prevent eligible citizens from registering or voting in federal elections. It specifically prohibits state or local election officials from blocking someone's registration or voting, or allowing a formal challenge to their eligibility, if the basis for that action relies on questionable evidence. This evidence includes "voter caging documents," which are non-forwardable mail returned as undeliverable to a registered voter's address, or documents instructing addressees to return them without proof of return; "unverified match lists," which are lists of potentially ineligible voters created by matching registration data to other lists without sufficient verification to ensure the same individual is being identified; minor errors or omissions on registration forms that don't actually affect a person's eligibility to vote; or any other evidence the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) designates as problematic. The bill also requires private individuals who challenge another citizen's right to vote to provide written, first-hand knowledge of the grounds for ineligibility, sworn under penalty of perjury, and prohibits them from using the same types of questionable evidence that officials are restricted from using. The intent is to stop tactics that could disenfranchise voters based on unreliable information, while also clarifying that this act does not override existing protections under the National Voter Registration Act or the Voting Rights Act.
Committee Categories
Justice, Military Affairs and Security
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security. (on 01/24/2011)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location | Created |
|---|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-bill/107/all-info | 04/25/2013 |
| BillText | http://gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-112hr107ih/pdf/BILLS-112hr107ih.pdf | 04/26/2013 |
| Bill | http://gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-112hr107ih/pdf/BILLS-112hr107ih.pdf.pdf | 02/01/2013 |
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