**Restoring Faith in Elections Act:** This bill aims to establish federal standards for mail-in ballots, promote automatic voter registration, standardize election administration, and enhance the accuracy of voter registration lists to ensure secure and uniform elections.
Brian Fitzpatrick
Representative
PA-1
The "Restoring Faith in Elections Act" aims to standardize and secure federal elections by establishing federal standards for mail-in ballots and election result reporting, introducing automatic voter registration, promoting equal treatment of voting methods, and creating a national database to ensure the accuracy of voter registration lists. This act mandates states to implement automatic voter registration using electronic data from government agencies unless individuals opt out, standardizes election administration procedures, and establishes a National Deconfliction Voting Database to prevent duplicate registrations and ensure voter eligibility. By standardizing these processes, the act seeks to enhance election integrity, increase voter participation, and ensure accurate voter rolls across the United States.
New Federal Bill Mandates Automatic Voter Registration and Mail-In Ballot Standards, Effective 2027
The "Restoring Faith in Elections Act" aims to overhaul how we vote, bringing big changes to mail-in ballots, voter registration, and election administration across the country. It's a multi-part bill with some significant potential impacts on everyday Americans.
Mail-In Ballot Overhaul
Title I of the bill, called the "Verifiable, Orderly, and Timely Election Results Act," sets national rules for mail-in voting (where states allow it). Think standardized request forms, strict deadlines, and specific ballot requirements. To request a mail-in ballot, you'll need to use a state-approved form (online or by mail) confirming your identity and address, and it must be received at least 21 days before Election Day (Sec. 102). Your ballot has to be marked in blue or black ink, signed to match your registration, dated, and received by the time polls close (Sec. 102). Plus, only you, immediate family (spouse, child, parent, grandparent, or sibling), or a designated caregiver can handle your ballot—with limits of two extra ballots per person, excluding postal workers and election officials acting in their official roles (Sec. 102). Violations mean potential fines and up to a year in prison (Sec. 102). For example, if you're a construction worker with a bad back, your spouse could legally return your ballot. But if you're living with three roommates, none of them could legally drop off your ballot for you. Election officials will be required to report the number of ballots cast and counted within an hour of polls closing, and all valid ballots must be counted within 24 hours (Sec. 103).
Automatic Voter Registration: Welcome to the Rolls
Title II, the "Automatic Voter Registration Act of 2025," is a game-changer. It mandates automatic voter registration for federal elections, starting January 1, 2027 (Sec. 211). This means when you interact with certain government agencies—like the DMV, Social Security, or even agencies regulating firearms (Sec. 203(e))—you'll be automatically registered to vote unless you specifically opt out (Sec. 202). Agencies must inform you that registration is happening and give you a chance to decline (Sec. 203). If you're already in these agencies' systems, you'll get a notice explaining how to decline registration if you're not interested or eligible (Sec. 202). The bill aims to increase voter participation, especially among groups who historically have lower turnout rates (Sec. 201). But it also raises some flags: your personal information (name, birthdate, address, citizenship proof) will be transferred between agencies (Sec. 203), and there are restrictions on how that data can be used (Sec. 205). The National Institute of Standards and Technology is tasked with setting data security standards (Sec. 205), but the potential for data breaches or misuse is a real concern.
Standardizing the Election Process
Title III pushes for standardized election administration across states. This means consistent rules for things like signature verification and provisional ballots, regardless of where you live within a state (Sec. 301, 302). The goal is fairness and equal treatment for all voters, but it could create challenges for local election officials used to running things their own way. This part kicks in for the November 2026 general election (Sec. 301).
The National Deconfliction Voting Database: Big Brother for Ballots?
Title IV creates a national database, the "National Deconfliction Voting Database and Clearinghouse," housed within the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) (Sec. 401). Its purpose is to keep voter rolls accurate by tracking registrations, removing deceased voters, and ensuring people are only registered in one state (Sec. 401). States must certify their voter lists and send them to CISA 90 days before each federal election. (Sec. 402). The Postmaster General and Social Security Administration will also share change-of-address and death information with CISA and state election officials (Sec. 402). While this could reduce fraud, it also raises concerns about potential voter suppression if the database is inaccurate or misused. Also, new driver's license applicants will have to declare their residency for voting purposes, potentially creating extra steps and confusion (Sec. 403).
Overall, the "Restoring Faith in Elections Act" proposes significant changes to the American voting system. It aims to increase security and participation, but its success will depend on careful implementation and addressing potential data security and voter disenfranchisement risks.