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H.R. 576House117th Congress (2021-2023)In Committee

Next Generation Votes Act

Sponsored by Joe NeguseRep. Joe Neguse (D-CO)
Introduced January 28, 2021

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 7, 2026 at 9:48 PM UTC

The Next Generation Votes Act amends the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to require states to accept voter registration applications for federal elections from individuals who are under 18, as long as they are at least 16 years old at the time of application. It does not change the voting age, so states are not required to let those applicants vote until they turn 18. The change applies to all states and affects young citizens seeking to register early for federal offices.

Key Provisions

  • States may not refuse to accept or process a federal election voter registration application from anyone who is at least 16 years old, even if they are under 18 at the time of application.
  • The amendment does not require states to allow those under‑18 applicants to vote in the election; voting age requirements remain unchanged.
  • The new rule takes effect for elections occurring on or after January 1, 2021.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action
HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.

Committee on House Administration

January 28, 2021

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

January 28, 2021

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.

Committee on House Administration

January 28, 2021

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued January 28, 2021

I

117th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 576

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 28, 2021

Mr. Neguse (for himself, Mr. Sarbanes, Ms. Moore of Wisconsin, Mr. Levin of Michigan, Ms. Norton, Ms. DeGette, Mr. Raskin, Mr. Soto, Ms. Schakowsky, Ms. Pressley, Mr. Jones, Mr. Blumenauer, and Mr. Johnson of Georgia) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on House Administration

A BILL

To amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to require States to accept applications to register to vote in elections for Federal office in the State from individuals under 18 years of age at the time of application.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Next Generation Votes Act.

2.

Acceptance of voter registration applications from individuals under 18 years of age

(a)

Acceptance of applications

Section 8 of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20507) is amended—

(1)

by redesignating subsection (j) as subsection (k); and

(2)

by inserting after subsection (i) the following new subsection:

(j)

Acceptance of applications from individuals under 18 years of age

(1)

In general

A State may not refuse to accept or process an individual’s application to register to vote in elections for Federal office on the grounds that the individual is under 18 years of age at the time the individual submits the application, so long as the individual is at least 16 years of age at such time.

(2)

No effect on State voting age requirements

Nothing in paragraph (1) may be construed to require a State to permit an individual who is under 18 years of age at the time of an election for Federal office to vote in the election.

.

(b)

Effective date

The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to elections occurring on or after January 1, 2021.