H.R.2847 - Vote at Home Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.2847, the Vote at Home Act of 2025, aims to expand voting access by mandating that states allow all eligible voters to vote by mail in federal elections. It also seeks to streamline voter registration processes through state motor vehicle authorities, including automatic voter registration for eligible citizens.
The bill amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 and the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to achieve these goals. It includes provisions for free postage for mail-in ballots and accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
The bill addresses concerns about voter turnout, accessibility, and the cost-effectiveness of mail-in voting, while also attempting to safeguard against potential fraud and protect voter privacy.
Expected Effects
If enacted, this bill would standardize voting procedures across states for federal elections, making mail-in voting a universal option. This could lead to increased voter turnout, particularly among those with limited mobility or time constraints.
Additionally, the streamlined voter registration process could increase the number of registered voters. The federal government would assume a greater role in election administration, potentially shifting power away from individual states.
States would be required to comply with these changes starting in 2026.
Potential Benefits
- Increased voter turnout, especially among individuals with disabilities, those with work or family commitments, and rural voters.
- Reduced waiting times at polling places for those who prefer to vote in person.
- Cost savings for states through reduced election administration expenses and reliance on temporary poll workers.
- Enhanced voter convenience and accessibility, making it easier for citizens to participate in federal elections.
- Streamlined voter registration processes through motor vehicle authorities, potentially increasing the number of registered voters.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for increased administrative burdens and costs for states to implement and maintain the new voting and registration systems.
- Concerns about voter fraud, despite the bill's provisions for ballot tracking and postal service cooperation.
- Possible challenges to state sovereignty and control over election administration.
- Risk of errors in automatic voter registration, potentially leading to ineligible individuals being registered or eligible voters being incorrectly removed from the rolls.
- Potential for delays in election results due to the increased volume of mail-in ballots.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's alignment with the US Constitution is complex. Congress has the power to regulate federal elections under Article I, Section 4, which states that Congress may at any time by law make or alter such regulations. The bill attempts to standardize voting procedures across states for federal elections, which could be argued as a valid exercise of this power.
However, the Tenth Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states, and election administration has traditionally been a state responsibility. Challenges to the bill could argue that it infringes upon states' rights to manage their own elections.
The bill also touches on the First Amendment rights of association and the right to vote, as it seeks to make voting more accessible. The constitutionality of the bill may depend on how the courts balance federal power over elections with states' rights and individual voting rights.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).