United StatesStates would offer early voter registration and campus voting access
Otherwise eligible teens could apply to register at 16 for federal elections starting at 18, and college student IDs would satisfy voter identification requirements.
What it does
Otherwise eligible teens could apply at 16 for federal elections held on or after they turn 18. Public college offices that help students would also serve as voter registration agencies.
States would provide federal Election Day polling places on public college campuses unless a waiver allows alternative access. Other colleges could decline, but states would still need voting access for campus youth age 18 and older.
College student IDs would satisfy state or local voter identification requirements. Students using those cards would not need another form of ID to meet that requirement.
Adults could sue over age-based voting restrictions and recover legal costs if they win. Age-based restrictions on mail voting for citizens of legal voting age would also be prohibited.
If Congress provides funding, states and covered U.S. territories could receive grants for youth election activities. Required plans would include school civic education and paid youth fellowships.
Argument forAccepting college student IDs could help students meet voter identification rules without having to obtain another accepted form of identification.
Argument againstStates could face more election planning work because they would need campus polling places or alternative ways for campus youth to vote.
More detail
States would accept early applications to register for federal elections. Public college offices that help students would also serve as voter registration agencies. Applicants must live in the state and meet voting requirements other than age. States could also offer early registration to children younger than 16. The early registration requirements would take effect when the 90-day period following enactment ends.
States would provide campus polling places on federal Election Day. The Attorney General could waive the public campus requirement if the site is unsuitable and the state requires alternative voting access for campus youth age 18 and older. Other colleges would need to give written permission; if they decline, states would have to provide alternative voting access for campus youth age 18 and older.
States and local governments would accept college student IDs as voter identification. The rule covers student IDs issued by colleges and other higher education institutions covered by the bill. The requirement would apply wherever a state or local government requires voter identification.
People age 18 and older harmed by age-based voting restrictions could sue in federal court. The mail-voting protection would cover citizens of legal voting age. A claim would need to show that a voting rule violates constitutional protections and is not necessary to serve a compelling state or local interest. Winning plaintiffs would recover reasonable lawyer fees, expert witness fees, and other court costs.
The Election Assistance Commission would award grants for youth election activities if Congress provides funding. States, the District of Columbia, and the listed U.S. territories could apply for grants involving young people, including those under 18. Applicants would need plans that include school civic education, support for school voting activities, and paid youth fellowships. The bill would authorize funding but would not itself provide the money.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To President
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Sep 23Introduced in SenateLatest
- Sep 23Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.Introduced
Civil Rights & VotingEducation