HR 160119th CongressIn Committee

Restoring Faith in Elections Act

Introduced: Jan 3, 2025

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

The Restoring Faith in Elections Act is a broad package that would (1) set federal standards for mail-in ballots and election-result reporting, (2) create a nationwide Automatic Voter Registration (AVR) program that requires states to automatically register eligible people to vote when they interact with certain government agencies (with an opt-out), (3) promote standardized election administration and improve the accuracy of voter registration lists, and (4) provide funding to states to implement these changes. It builds on and amends existing federal election laws (notably the Help America Vote Act, HAVA, and COCOA-related updates) and envisions a more uniform, technology-enabled system for voter registration, ballot handling, and results reporting. The text provided covers Title I (mail-in ballots and results reporting) and Title II (AVR), with references to Title III (standardized administration) and Title IV (list accuracy) in the table of contents, though the full text of Title III and Title IV details is not included in the excerpt. In practical terms, if enacted, the bill would push states to adopt automatic registration, expand how ballots are requested, counted, and verified, require more standardized and timely reporting of results, and create data standards and protections around voter information. It also sets aside substantial federal funding to support these changes and imposes privacy and security requirements to guard personal data.

Key Points

1Federal standards for mail-in ballots
2- Mail-in ballots for federal elections would be designed to be secure, uniform, and timely, with a standardized request process (electronic or by mail) and a deadline (21 days before election).
3- Requests must allow election officials to verify identity, registration status, and current residency.
4- Ballots must be mailed within 3 days of a valid request.
5- Ballots must meet specific requirements to be counted (blue/black ink, signature matching registration, date, timely return, and a signed attestation covering identity, residency, and that the ballot is being submitted instead of in-person voting).
6- Voters can return a mail-in ballot in person if they prefer; if they attempt to vote in person without bringing the mail-in ballot, they receive a provisional ballot.
7- Possession of mail-in ballots is restricted to certain people (with explicit allowances for immediate family members and caregivers under defined limits) and carries penalties for violations.
8- Effective date: applies to federal elections held after enactment.
9Federal standards for reporting election results
10- Ballots received early (before election day) can be counted starting at least a week before the election.
11- One hour after polls close, precincts must report totals: mail-in ballots received, in-person ballots cast, and counts vs. outstanding ballots.
12- All valid ballots must be counted and reported within 24 hours after voting ends.
13Automatic Voter Registration (AVR)
14- States would be required to establish AVR to automatically register eligible individuals to vote in federal elections, using information transferred from participating government agencies (unless the person declines).
15- New registrations would occur based on information from contributing agencies (e.g., DMV, Social Security, military/agency data) with notice to individuals.
16- A one-time registration step would occur for those in existing agency records who are eligible but not yet registered, including clear disclosures about registration, party affiliation where relevant, and the consequences of false registration.
17- Individuals under 18 at the time information is received may be treated as eligible if they are at least 16 when the information is received.
18- Contributing agencies would include many state and federal agencies (DMV, Social Security, VA, etc.) and institutions of higher education; agencies must inform applicants about registration and provide a decline option.
19- A public list of contributing agencies would be published, and states must educate the public about AVR.
20Privacy, security, and protections
21- Protections for people who are automatically registered from facing penalties or immigration consequences solely due to AVR status or timing errors.
22- Restrictions on using AVR data for purposes outside voter registration/election administration (with limitations on what can be disclosed publicly).
23- Prohibition on using voter data for commercial purposes; political use is allowed.
24- Data security standards would be set by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in consultation with the public, including who can access voter data and how it is protected.
25- States must annually certify compliance with these standards to receive federal funding; failure to certify could affect funding.
26- Public records rules would limit disclosure of sensitive information (e.g., social security numbers, full driver’s license numbers, signatures) and require keeping records of voter record changes for at least two years.
27Funding
28- The bill would authorize federal funding to help states implement AVR and related reforms, with $500 million authorized for FY 2025 and ongoing appropriations as needed for subsequent years.
29- Funding priorities emphasize electronic data transfers, modernizing registration systems, expanding online registration, and public education about new registration options.
30Additional provisions (Title III and Title IV)
31- The table of contents indicates provisions to promote standardized administration of elections (Title III) and to promote accuracy of voter registration lists (Title IV), including a National Deconfliction Voting Database and pre-election maintenance. The provided excerpt does not include the full text of these sections, but they are listed as part of the overall reform package.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected- Voters: all eligible U.S. citizens, with particular attention to those who rely on mail-in ballots and individuals interacting with government agencies (DMV, welfare, student services, etc.) who would become automatically registered.- State and local election officials: would implement new mail-in ballot standards, AVR systems, data standards, and reporting timelines; would need new technology and staff training.- Contributing agencies (state and federal): would participate in automatic registration data transfers and provide notices; includes agencies like the DMV, Social Security Administration, VA, and others, plus higher education institutions.Secondary group/area affected- Election technology vendors and IT contractors: to build or upgrade AVR systems, online registration, and secure data transfers; ensure compatibility with federal data standards.- Voter advocacy, privacy, and civil rights groups: would scrutinize privacy protections, data use restrictions, and potential impacts on access and participation.- Lawmakers and state policymakers: charged with aligning state laws and practices to meet federal standards and to manage the required certifications and funding.Additional impacts- Public trust and transparency: the act aims to increase consistency and speed in results reporting, which could bolster confidence in elections or provoke concerns about federal overreach among some critics.- Privacy and civil liberties concerns: expanded data sharing across agencies can raise concerns about how personal information is used, stored, and disclosed; the bill includes guardrails, but implementation would be closely watched.- Budget and resource considerations: substantial federal funding is proposed, but states would need to invest in systems, training, and compliance; ongoing costs and administrative burdens could vary by state.

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