H.R. 2358: Voter Empowerment Act of 2021

117th Congress · introduced 2021-04-05 · Government Operations and Politics · Latest: Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

Where it came from: introduced 2021-04-05 · official record
Who proposed it: Rep. Clyburn, James E. [D-SC-6] · what a sponsor is
What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
Where it stands now: Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Voter Empowerment Act of 2021

Plain summary

Voter Empowerment Act of 2021 This bill expands voter registration and voting access. Specifically, the bill expands voter registration by requiring states to (1) make available online voter registration, (2) establish automatic voter registration systems, (3) permit same-day voter registration, and (4) accept voter registration applications from individuals under age 18. Further, the bill limits removing voters from voter rolls and prohibits interference with voter registration or voting. Next, the bill requires states to allow individuals with disabilities to use absentee registration procedures and to vote by absentee ballot in federal elections. The bill also prohibits voter caging (the practice of sending mail to addresses on voter rolls, compiling a list of the undeliverable mail, and using the list to remove registered voters from voter rolls). Next, the bill expands voting access by requiring states to allow early voting and voting by mail without additional conditions. It also requires states to provide secured drop boxes at which individuals may drop off their completed absentee ballots. In addition, the bill declares that the right of a U.S. citizen to vote in any federal election shall not be denied or abridged because that individual has been convicted of a criminal offense unless, at the time of the election, such individual is serving a felony sentence. Finally, the bill permanently reauthorizes the Election Assistance Commission (EAC). It also directs the EAC to make grants to states for specified activities, including to implement automatic voter registration systems.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

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What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Voter Empowerment Act of 2021

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)

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The strongest published arguments

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Clyburn, James E. [D-SC-6] · 38 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Nikema Williams (D-GA), Alma S. Adams (D-NC), Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-CA), Joyce Beatty (D-OH), Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (D-GA), Joe Courtney (D-CT), Dwight Evans (D-PA), Sylvia R. Garcia (D-TX), Jahana Hayes (D-CT), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Lucy McBath (D-GA), James P. McGovern (D-MA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Janice D. Schakowsky (D-IL), Darren Soto (D-FL), Mark Takano (D-CA), Ritchie Torres (D-NY), Lori Trahan (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Terri A. Sewell (D-AL), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Salud O. Carbajal (D-CA), Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX), Jesús G. "Chuy" García (D-IL), Judy Chu (D-CA)

Sponsor's campaign money: Rep. Clyburn, James E. [D-SC-6] reported raising $1.7 million (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Words on this page, explained (1)

Bill: A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)
Congress.gov
Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-117hr2358.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/117/hr>

Record fed-us-cong117-hr2358 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong117 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong117