S. 1566Senate116th Congress (2019-2021)In Committee

Military Voting Protection Act

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Updated April 14, 2026 at 5:22 AM UTC

The Military Voting Protection Act would make sure that members of the Armed Forces who are deployed overseas receive the information and materials they need to vote in federal elections. It requires that, at least 45 days before a general election, service members are given a federal write‑in absentee ballot, instructions on how to use it, and, when their home state does not accept that ballot, a briefing and the chance to complete the state’s absentee registration form. The bill also urges states to remove barriers that prevent deployed service members from voting.

Key Provisions

Within 45 days of a federal election, deployed service members must be provided a federal write‑in absentee ballot and clear instructions on its use.
If a service member’s home state does not accept the federal write‑in ballot, they must receive a briefing and be allowed to fill out the state’s absentee voter registration and ballot application forms.
Voting Assistance Officers or other designated personnel are responsible for distributing the ballots and instructions.
The bill includes a congressional sense urging states to change laws so that the federal write‑in absentee ballot can be used as a simultaneous application and acceptable ballot for federal elections.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action

SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.

Rules and Administration Committee

May 21, 2019

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

May 21, 2019

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.

Rules and Administration Committee

May 21, 2019

Bill Text

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Introduced in SenateIssued May 21, 2019

116th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 1566

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

May 21, 2019

Mr. Cornyn (for himself, Mr. King, Mr. Tillis, and Ms. Duckworth) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration

A BILL

To require information and opportunities for registration for voting and absentee ballot requests for members of the Armed Forces who are undergoing deployment overseas, and for other purposes.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Military Voting Protection Act.

Information and opportunities for registration for voting and absentee ballot requests for members of the Armed Forces undergoing deployment overseas

(a)

In general

Not later than 45 days prior to a general election for Federal office, a member of the Armed Forces shall be provided with the following:

(1)

A Federal write-in absentee ballot prescribed pursuant to section 103 of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (52 U.S.C. 20303), together with instructions on the appropriate use of the ballot with respect to the State in which the member is registered to vote.

(2)

In the case of a member intending to vote in a State that does not accept the Federal write-in absentee ballot as a simultaneous application and acceptable ballot for Federal elections, a briefing on, and an opportunity to fill out, the official post card form for absentee voter registration application and absentee ballot application prescribed under section 101(b)(2) of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (52 U.S.C. 20301(b)(2)).

(b)

Personnel responsible of discharge

Ballots and instructions shall be provided pursuant to paragraphs(1) of subsection (a) by Voting Assistance Officers or such other personnel as the Secretary of the military department concerned shall designate.

(c)

Sense of Congress relating to the use of the Federal write-In absentee ballot

(1)

Findings

Congress makes the following findings:

(A)

Servicemembers serving abroad are subject to disproportionate challenges in voting.

(B)

As of May, 2019, only 28 States allow servicemembers to use the Federal write-in absentee ballot as a simultaneous application and acceptable ballot for Federal elections.

(2)

Sense of Congress

It is the sense of Congress that—

(A)

Federal and State governments should remove all obstacles that would inhibit deployed servicemembers from voting; and

(B)

States that do not allow servicemembers to use the Federal write-in absentee ballot as a simultaneous application and acceptable ballot for Federal elections should modify their laws to permit such use.