Register America to Vote Act

To require States to automatically register eligible voters at the time they turn 18 to vote in Federal elections, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Register America to Vote Act 2. Purpose The purposes of this Act are— (1) to require every State to develop and implement a system to ensure that every eligible person is automatically registered to vote when they turn 18 years old; and (2) to protect the right to vote by allowing voters who are automatically registered or had previously registered in a State to update their address through the day of the election. 3. Automatic voter registration (a) Requirement (1) In general Not later than November 3, 2020, the chief State election official of each State shall establish and operate a system of automatic registration for the registration of any eligible individual at the time the individual turns 18 to vote for elections for Federal office in the State. (2) Exception The requirements under paragraph (1) shall not apply to a State in which, under a State law in effect continuously on and after the date of the enactment of this section, there is no voter registration requirement for individuals in the State with respect to elections for Federal office. (3) Limits on use of automatic registration The registration of any individual under this subsection, and any action by an individual to opt-out of such automatic registration, may not be used as evidence against that individual in any State or Federal law enforcement proceeding. (b) Same day registration (1) In general Notwithstanding section 8(a)(1)(D) of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 ( 42 U.S.C. 1973gg–6 (A) to register to vote in such election at the polling place using a form that meets the requirements under section 9(b) of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 ( 52 U.S.C. 20509(b) (B) to cast a vote in such election. (2) Noncomplying State For purposes of paragraph (1), the term noncomplying State (c) Automatic voter registration grants (1) In general The Commission shall make a payment in an amount determined under paragraph (3) to each State. (2) Use of funds A State receiving a payment under this subsection shall use the payment— (A) to implement automatic voter registration in accordance with subsection (a); and (B) to improve election security systems related to voter registration. (3) Allocation of funds (A) In general Subject to subparagraph (C), the amount of a payment made to a State under this subsection shall be equal to the product of— (i) the total amount appropriated for payments pursuant to the authorization under paragraph (4); and (ii) the State allocation percentage for the State (as determined under subparagraph (B)). (B) State allocation percentage defined The State allocation percentage (i) the voting age population of the State (as reported in the most recent decennial census); and (ii) the total voting age population of all States (as reported in the most recent decennial census). (C) Minimum amount of payment The amount of a payment made to a State under this subsection may not be less than one-half of 1 percent of the total amount appropriated for payments under this subsection under paragraph (4). (D) Pro rata reductions The Commission shall make such pro rata reductions to the allocations determined under subparagraph (A) as are necessary to comply with the requirements of subparagraph (C). (E) Continuing availability of funds after appropriation A payment to a State under this subsection shall be available to the State without fiscal year limitation. (4) Authorization of appropriations (A) In general There are authorized to be appropriated $325,000,000 for payments under this subsection. (B) Availability Any amounts appropriated pursuant to the authority of subparagraph (A) shall remain available without fiscal year limitation until expended. (d) Enforcement Section 11 of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 ( 52 U.S.C. 20510 (e) Relation to other laws Except as provided, nothing in this Act may be construed to authorize or require conduct prohibited under, or to supersede, restrict, or limit the application of any of the following: (1) The Voting Rights Act of 1965 ( 52 U.S.C. 10301 (2) The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act ( 52 U.S.C. 20301 (3) The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 ( 52 U.S.C. 20501 (4) The Help America Vote Act of 2002 ( 52 U.S.C. 20901 (f) Definitions In this Act, the following definitions apply: (1) Chief State election official The term chief State election official 52 U.S.C. 20509 (2) Commission The term Commission (3) Election The term election (4) Federal office The term Federal office (5) State The term State 4. State registration portability (a) In general Section 8(e) of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 ( 52 U.S.C. 20507(e) (e) Procedure for voting following failure To return card Notwithstanding failure to notify the registrar of the change of address prior to the date of an election, a registrant who has moved from an address in the State to an address in the same State shall, upon oral or written affirmation by the registrant of the change of address before an election official, be permitted to vote (at the option of the voter)— (1) at the polling place of the registrant's current address; or (2) at a central location within the same registrar's jurisdiction. . (b) Effective date The amendment made by this section shall take effect on January 1, 2020.

Summary: Register America to Vote Act This bill directs each state that has a voter registration requirement for federal elections to automatically register eligible individuals when they turn 18 years old. States that do not implement automatic registration must permit eligible individuals to register and vote on the day of a federal election. The Election Assistance Commission shall make grants to states to implement automatic voter registration and improve election security systems related to voter registration. The bill revises the procedure for voting following a registered voter's failure to return a change of address card.