Voter Purge Protection Act
The Voter Purge Protection Act would tighten protections around removing a person’s name from the official list of voters for federal elections. Under the bill, states could purge a registrant only if there is objective and reliable evidence that the person is ineligible to vote in federal elections. It forbids using common but unreliable indicators—such as simply not voting, not responding to notices (unless the notice was undeliverable), or taking no action—as proof of ineligibility. If a removal occurs, the state must promptly notify the individual with the grounds for removal and how to contest or reinstate, and the state must also publish public notices about purge activity. The bill also requires verification that a registrant has moved residence outside the jurisdiction before any removal notice is sent. It would take effect on enactment. In short, the bill aims to prevent improper purges by raising the evidentiary standard for removing voters and by mandating timely, transparent notice and public reporting of purge activities.
Key Points
- 1core standard for removal: A state may purge a registrant only after verifying, with objective and reliable evidence, that the registrant is ineligible to vote in federal elections.
- 2prohibitions on evidence: The bill bars using these factors as objective/reliable evidence of ineligibility on their own or in combination: (a) failure to vote, (b) failure to respond to a notice unless the notice was returned as undeliverable, (c) failure to take any other voting-related action.
- 3removal notices and contest rights: Within 48 hours of removing a registrant, the state must send notice detailing the grounds for removal and how to contest or reinstate, including a contact number; there are limited exceptions (e.g., if the registrant confirms they are no longer eligible in the jurisdiction or if the registrant is deceased).
- 4public notice and accessibility: Within 48 hours after any general purge program, states must publish public notices (in widely accessible formats) that list maintenance is taking place and that registrants should check their status. Notices must be accessible to voters with disabilities.
- 5residence-change verification: Before sending a removal notice, the state must have objective and reliable evidence that the registrant has changed residence to a place outside the registrar’s jurisdiction.
- 6conforming amendments and effective date: The bill adjusts related provisions in the National Voter Registration Act and the Help America Vote Act to align with section 8A, and it takes effect on enactment.