I 
115TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 893 
To protect, improve, and modernize the act of voting. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
FEBRUARY 6, 2017 
Ms. MENG introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee 
on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for 
a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for 
consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the com-
mittee concerned 
A BILL 
To protect, improve, and modernize the act of voting. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘21st Century Voting 
Act’’. 
SEC. 2. COMMISSION ESTABLISHED. 
There is hereby established the ‘‘Commission on Vot-
ing’’ (referred to in this Act as the ‘‘Commission’’). 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
03:12 Feb 10, 2017
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H893.IH
H893
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
SEC. 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 holi-
day. 
(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 for-
merly held the right to vote shall have that right re-
stored 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 car-
ried 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. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
03:12 Feb 10, 2017
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H893.IH
H893
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
(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 pro-
posed legislation submitted to Congress pursuant to sub-
section (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. 
SEC. 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 Sen-
ate, 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. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
03:12 Feb 10, 2017
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H893.IH
H893
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
(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 Com-
mission shall be allowed travel expenses, including per 
diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for employ-
ees of agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 
5, United States Code, while away from their homes or 
regular places of business in the performance of services 
for the Commission. 
Æ 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
03:12 Feb 10, 2017
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H893.IH
H893
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS