H.R. 1307House117th Congress (2021-2023)In Committee

Vote by Mail Tracking Act

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 7, 2026 at 11:15 PM UTC

The Vote by Mail Tracking Act amends the postal code to require that any mail‑in ballot for a federal election be sent in an envelope that includes a U.S. Postal Service barcode (or similar tracking mark), meets USPS‑issued design and machineability standards, and displays an official election mail logo. It also requires the federal government to reimburse states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories for the costs of using this barcode service for elections held after the law takes effect.

Key Provisions

Requires every mail‑in ballot for a federal office to be mailed in an envelope with a USPS barcode or similar tracking mark, meeting USPS‑set design and machineability standards and bearing an official election mail logo.
Applies to all federal elections occurring after the law’s enactment.
Mandates federal reimbursement to each state, D.C., and U.S. territories for costs of using the barcode service.
Authorizes appropriations from the Treasury’s general fund for FY2022 and subsequent years as needed to cover those reimbursements.

Legislative Activity

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3 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 34 - 5.

Oversight and Government Reform Committee

November 17, 2022

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

February 24, 2021

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.

Oversight and Government Reform Committee

February 24, 2021

HouseCommittee

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

Oversight and Government Reform Committee

November 17, 2022

HouseCommittee

Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 34 - 5.

Oversight and Government Reform Committee

November 17, 2022

Bill Text

Latest available legislative text

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Introduced in HouseIssued February 24, 2021

117th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 1307

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

February 24, 2021

Mrs. Carolyn B. Maloney of New York introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform

A BILL

To amend title 39, United States Code, to require mail-in ballots to use the Postal Service barcode service, and for other purposes.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Vote by Mail Tracking Act.

Mail-in ballots and Postal Service barcode service

(a)

In general

Section 3001 of title 39, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

(p)

Any ballot sent within the United States for an election for Federal office is nonmailable and shall not be carried or delivered by mail unless the ballot is mailed in an envelope that—

(1)

contains a Postal Service barcode (or successive service or marking) that enables tracking of each individual ballot;

(2)

satisfies requirements for ballot envelope design that the Postal Service may promulgate by regulation;

(3)

satisfies requirements for machineable letters that the Postal Service may promulgate by regulation; and

(4)

includes the Official Election Mail Logo (or any successor label that the Postal Service may establish for ballots).

(b)

Application

The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply to any election for Federal office occurring after the date of enactment of this Act.

(c)

Reimbursement to States

(1)

In general

The Federal Government shall reimburse each State (including the District of Columbia and any territory or possession of the United States) for the cost of using the Postal Service barcode service as required under subsection (p) of section 3001 of title 39, United States Code, as added by subsection (a).

(2)

Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2022 and each fiscal year thereafter such sums as may be necessary, to be derived from the general fund of the Treasury, for reimbursing States for such cost.