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To amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to establish minimum notification requirements for voters affected by polling place changes.
Summary
The bill amends federal election law to establish notification requirements when polling places change for registered voters. States must notify voters of polling place changes at least 7 days before an election through mail, phone, text message, and email, and must post notices on state websites, social media, and at previous polling locations. For jurisdictions using vote centers instead of assigned polling places, election officials must notify voters of all available polling locations at least 2 days before early voting begins. When polling places close, states must post signs at the former locations with information about where voters can vote, including directions and contact information for election officials. The requirements apply to federal elections starting January 1, 2026.
AI-generated plain-language summary of the bill text — neutral, and may be imperfect. See the full text below for the exact wording.
Sponsor (1)
5 cosponsors
Actions (4)
- May 14, 2026 Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Voice Vote. · house
- May 14, 2026 Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held · house
- Jan 21, 2026 Referred to the House Committee on House Administration. · house
- Jan 21, 2026 Introduced in House
More bills on these subjects (8)
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Similar bills (6)
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Committee action
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Meetings where this bill was on the agenda
Full text
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 21, 2026
Ms. Johnson of Texas (for herself, Mr. Morelle, Ms. Norton, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, and Mr. Casten) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on House Administration
A BILL
To amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to establish minimum notification requirements for voters affected by polling place changes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the “Voter Outreach for Transparent Elections Act” or the “VOTE Act”.
SEC. 2. MINIMUM NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR VOTERS AFFECTED BY POLLING PLACE CHANGES.
(a) Requirements.—Section 302 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21082) is amended—
(1) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e); and
(2) by inserting after subsection (c) the following new subsection:
“(d) Minimum Notification Requirements for Voters Affected by Polling Place Changes.—
“(1) In general.—If a State assigns an individual who is a registered voter in a State to a polling place with respect to an election for Federal office which is not the same polling place to which the individual was previously assigned with respect to the most recent election for Federal office in the State in which the individual was eligible to vote—
“(A) the State shall notify the individual of the location of the polling place not later than 7 days before the date of the election;
“(B) the appropriate election official of the State shall post a general notice on the website of the State or jurisdiction, on social media platforms (if available), and on signs at the prior polling place; and
“(C) if the State makes such an assignment fewer than 7 days before the date of the election and the individual appears on the date of the election at the polling place to which the individual was previously assigned, the State shall make every reasonable effort to enable the individual to vote on the date of the election.
“(2) Methods of notification.—The appropriate election official shall notify an individual under paragraph (1)(A) by mail, telephone, and (if available) text message and electronic mail.
“(3) Requirements for vote centers.—In the case of a jurisdiction in which individuals are not assigned to specific polling places, not later than 2 days before the beginning of an early voting period, the appropriate election official shall notify each individual eligible to vote in such jurisdiction of the location of all polling places at which the individual may vote.
“(4) Notice with respect to closed polling places.—
“(A) In general.—If a location which served as a polling place for an election for Federal office in a State does not serve as a polling place in the next election for Federal office held in the State, the State shall ensure that signs are posted at such location on the date of the election and during any early voting period for the election containing the following information:
“(i) A statement that the location is not serving as a polling place in the election.
“(ii) The locations serving as polling places in the election in the jurisdiction involved.
“(iii) The name and address of any substitute polling place serving the same precinct and directions from the former polling place to the new polling place.
“(iv) Contact information, including a telephone number and website, for the appropriate State or local election official through which an individual may find the polling place to which the individual is assigned for the election.
“(B) Internet posting.—Each State which is required to post signs under subparagraph (A) shall also provide such information through a website and through social media (if available).
“(C) Linguistic preference.—The notices required under this subsection shall comply with the requirements of section 203 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. 10503).
“(5) Effective date.—This subsection shall apply with respect to elections held on or after January 1, 2026.”.
(b) Conforming Amendment.—Section 302(e) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 21082(f)), as redesignated by subsection (a), is amended by striking “Each State” and inserting “Except as provided in subsection (d)(5), each State”. <all>
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