21st Century Voting Act

To protect, improve, and modernize the act of voting. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the 21st Century Voting Act 2. Commission established There is hereby established the Commission on Voting Commission 3. Commission duties (a) Proposed legislation The Commission shall report to Congress proposed legislation that would accomplish the following: (1) Election Day shall be made a national holiday. (2) Every American shall be automatically, and permanently, registered to vote at the age of 18, or upon receipt of citizenship if older than 18 years of age. (3) Every person released from prison who formerly held the right to vote shall have that right restored immediately upon release. (4) Voter registration shall be made portable among every State and locality. (5) Polling place and registration status shall be made available to individual voters online. (6) Voting cybersecurity protection efforts carried out by Federal agencies shall be streamlined and strengthened. (7) Additional Federal resources shall be made to State and local election boards and agencies. (8) A quadrennial review of voting in America shall be performed each year following the election of the President of the United States. (b) Deadline The proposed legislation required by subsection (a) shall be submitted to Congress not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act. (c) Introduction and vote required The proposed legislation submitted to Congress pursuant to subsection (b) shall be introduced by the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives within 14 days of receipt of the proposal, and receive a vote in the House within 14 days thereafter. Should the measure pass the House, it shall receive consideration and a vote in the Senate within 14 days of passage in the House. 4. Commission membership (a) Number and appointment The Commission shall be comprised of 15 members appointed, in equal number, by the President, the Majority Leader of the Senate, the Minority Leader of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives. (b) Chair The President shall select the Chair of the Commission. (c) Timing of appointments Appointments to the Commission shall be made not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act. (d) Vacancies Any vacancy in the Commission shall not affect its powers and shall be filled in the manner in which the original appointment was made. (e) Compensation Members of the Commission shall serve without pay. (f) Travel expenses Each member of the Commission shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57

Summary: 21st Century Voting Act This bill establishes the Commission on Voting to report to Congress proposed legislation that would make specified changes to voting policy, including: (1) making Election Day a national holiday, (2) making voter registration automatic and permanent, and (3) restoring the right to vote to persons released from prison. This proposed legislation must be introduced as a bill by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and receive a vote. If the bill passes the House, it must be considered and voted upon by the Senate.