Bill would set federal voter ID, ballot, and map rules

States would require voters in federal elections to meet photo ID rules. The rules cover people voting in elections for federal office, whether in person or another way. Accepted ID includes certain state, passport, military, and Tribal photo IDs. In-person voters without ID could cast a provisional ballot, but it could be counted only if they provide ID or a state affidavit saying they have a religious objection to being photographed within three days. Voters casting ballots another way would have to send a copy of their ID or the last four Social Security digits and a state affidavit saying reasonable efforts did not get them a copy. The rules would not apply to uniformed-services voters or people allowed to vote another way under a specified disability-access law. Where practicable, states would provide free access to devices for copying ID. The rules would apply to federal elections held one day after enactment or later.

Federal absentee and mail ballots would have to arrive by poll closing on Election Day. This covers absentee and mail-in ballots in elections for federal office. The deadline would not apply to uniformed-services or overseas voters, or in an area and during a period covered by a presidentially declared emergency or disaster. The deadline would apply to federal elections held in 2027 or later.

The Commerce Secretary would give states and local governments grants to speed ballot counting, and states would have to allow counting before Election Day. The grants would support counting ballots in federal elections; the early-counting rule would apply to votes in those elections. Grant money could pay for equipment, staff training, and other activities to speed counting. Rural areas and places that have been slow to tally federal election votes would receive priority. The grant funding is $200 million for fiscal year 2027 and would remain available until spent. Early counting would apply to federal elections in 2027 or later.

States would have to hold open primaries for federal offices. The primary rule covers elections for federal office. The funding condition applies to a state's elections for state and local offices. Any voter registered for the general election could vote in any party's primary for that office, including a presidential preference primary or a party convention or caucus that can nominate a candidate. A state could receive federal funds directly for election administration only if it certifies that it holds open primaries for state and local offices. The federal-office primary rule would apply to elections held after January 1, 2027.

States would follow new rules for drawing congressional districts, and federal courts could hear claims about partisan mapmaking. These standards and limits apply to congressional districts, not state or local election districts. Federal courts could hear claims that a congressional map violates the ban on partisan intent or party data. Maps would have to keep district populations within 0.15 percent of equal population, use connected and compact areas, and keep metropolitan areas, cities, towns, and counties together as far as the listed priority rules allow. States unable to meet every criterion would follow the bill's priority rules. Maps could not be drawn to favor or disfavor a party, officeholder, or candidate, or use data about the population's partisan makeup. After a state has redrawn its congressional map, it could not do so again before the next census apportionment unless a court requires it to comply with the Constitution, the Voting Rights Act, state law, or this Act. These rules do not cover state or local election districts. The redrawing limit would apply to congressional redistricting after enactment.