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Absentee Ballot Legislation in the 110th Congress

Published: January 26, 2009

Bill No
Bill No. Short Title Sponsors Date Introduced Related Bills Description
S. 730
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Voting Opportunity and Technology Enhancement Act of 2007 Dodd
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March 1, 2007
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  Among other things this election reform bill would permit the use of a federal write-in absentee ballot by anyone who is eligible to vote in federal elections.  The voter may designate a candidate by writing in the candidate’s name or write in the name of a political party (in which case, the ballot will be counted for the candidate of the political party).  Abbreviations, misspellings, or other minor variations in candidate or political party names will not make a ballot invalid.
S. 804
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Count Every Vote Act of 2007 Clinton
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March 7, 2007
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H.R. 1381 Among other things, this omnibus election reform bill would permit voters to cast absentee ballots for any reason.  Absentee ballots would count if postmarked by Election Day and received by the state deadline for absentee ballots or 10 days after the date of an election, whichever is later.
S. 979
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Vote by Mail Act of 2007 Wyden
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March 23, 2007
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H.R. 1667 This bill would establish a grant program to assist states with the implementation of vote by mail systems.  Participating states would be required to meet minimum procedural standards in the administration of their vote by mail systems.  This bill would also require the study of vote by mail systems.
S. 1487
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Ballot Integrity Act of 2007 Feinstein
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May 24, 2007
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  Among other things, this omnibus election reform bill would require states to offer absentee ballots to individuals.  States would not be permitted to impose additional conditions or requirements on individuals who choose to vote absentee.
H.R. 281
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Universal Right to Vote by Mail Act of 2007 Davis
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January 5, 2007
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  This bill would allow voters to vote by mail in federal elections for any reason.
H.R. 1381
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Count Every Vote Act of 2007 Tubbs Jones
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March 7, 2007
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S. 804 Among other things, this omnibus election reform bill would permit voters to cast absentee ballots for any reason.  Absentee ballots would count if postmarked by Election Day and received by the state deadline for absentee ballots or 10 days after the date of an election, whichever is later.
H.R. 1646
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Mail-In Ballot Tracking Act of 2007 Davis
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March 22, 2007
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  This bill would require states to implement tracking procedures and systems for any ballots transmitted by mail so that appropriate election officials and voters may check on the progress of their ballots, including if their ballots have been counted or rejected, while ensuring the privacy of information.
H.R. 1667
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Vote by Mail Act of 2007 Davis
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March 23, 2007
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S. 979 This bill would establish a grant program to assist states with the implementation of vote by mail systems.  Participating states would be required to meet minimum procedural standards in the administration of their vote by mail systems.  This bill would also require the study of vote by mail systems.
H.R. 4173
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Overseas Voting Education and Reform, Safeguarding Every American’s Vote Act (“OVERSEAS Vote Act”) Honda
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November 14, 2007
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  This bill would prohibit election officials from refusing to accept or process absentee ballots from overseas or uniformed services voters whose ballots are not notarized or witnessed by officials authorized to administer oaths.  It would also amend UOCAVA to permit voters to request absentee ballots in all subsequent elections.  The provisions of UOCAVA would be extended to certain individuals who have never resided in the United States but have a parent or guardian who resided in the United States.  It would require the EAC to establish and operate a program for making grants to organizations that assist overseas voters.
H.R. 4237
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Overseas Voting Practical Amendments Act of 2007 Maloney
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November 15, 2007
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  This bill would prohibit election officials from refusing to accept or process voter registration applications or absentee ballot applications submitted by overseas or uniformed services voters for failure to meet nonessential requirements such as paper quality and method of delivery.  It would also amend UOCAVA to permit voters to request absentee ballots in all subsequent elections.  The provisions of UOCAVA would be extended to certain individuals who have never resided in the United States but have a parent or guardian who resided in the United States.
H.R. 5673
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Military Voting Protection Act of 2008 McCarthy
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April 1, 2008
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  This bill would establish procedures to ensure that absentee ballots of overseas and military voters are timely delivered to State election officials to be counted in an election.
H.R. 6077
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  Norton May 6, 2008
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  This bill would require election officials to accept absentee ballots even if they are not sent with sufficient postage.