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H.R. 640House117th Congress (2021-2023)In Committee

Expanding Access to Early Voting Act of 2021

Sponsored by Anthony G. BrownRep. Anthony G. Brown (D-MD)
Introduced February 1, 2021

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 7, 2026 at 9:57 PM UTC

The Expanding Access to Early Voting Act of 2021 amends the Help America Vote Act to require states to provide early voting for federal elections. It sets a minimum early‑voting period beginning at least 15 days before Election Day and establishes uniform hours, extended daily hours, and location requirements to improve access. The changes affect all voters in federal elections and the state officials who run elections.

Key Provisions

  • Requires each state to allow early voting for federal elections starting at least 15 days before the election (or earlier) and continuing through Election Day.
  • Sets minimum early‑voting hours: at least 10 hours per day, uniform daily hours, with some time before 9 a.m. and after 5 p.m. local time.
  • Mandates polling places be within walking distance of public‑transport stops and ensures locations in rural areas to maximize voter access.
  • Directs the Election Assistance Commission to issue standards for nondiscriminatory placement of early‑voting sites, with flexibility to deviate for emergencies such as natural disasters.
  • Requires states to begin processing and scanning early‑vote ballots at least 14 days before the election, while prohibiting counting them before polls close on Election Day.
  • Updates HAVA section numbers and guidance references to incorporate the new early‑voting provisions.

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

February 1, 2021

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

February 1, 2021

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.

Committee on House Administration

February 1, 2021

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued February 1, 2021

I

117th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 640

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

February 1, 2021

Mr. Brown introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on House Administration

A BILL

To amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to allow individuals to vote in an election for Federal office during an early voting period which occurs prior to the date of the election, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Expanding Access to Early Voting Act of 2021.

2.

Early voting

(a)

Requirements

Subtitle A of title III of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 21081 et seq.) is amended—

(1)

by redesignating sections 304 and 305 as sections 305 and 306; and

(2)

by inserting after section 303 the following new section:

304.

Early voting

(a)

Requiring Voting Prior to Date of Election

(1)

In general

Each State shall allow individuals to vote in an election for Federal office during an early voting period which occurs prior to the date of the election, in the same manner as voting is allowed on such date.

(2)

Length of period

The early voting period required under this subsection with respect to an election shall consist of a period of consecutive days (including weekends) which begins on the 15th day before the date of the election (or, at the option of the State, on a day prior to the 15th day before the date of the election) and ends on the date of the election.

(b)

Minimum early voting requirements

Each polling place which allows voting during an early voting period under subsection (a) shall—

(1)

allow such voting for no less than 10 hours on each day;

(2)

have uniform hours each day for which such voting occurs; and

(3)

allow such voting to be held for some period of time prior to 9:00 a.m (local time) and some period of time after 5:00 p.m. (local time).

(c)

Location of polling places

(1)

Proximity to public transportation

To the greatest extent practicable, a State shall ensure that each polling place which allows voting during an early voting period under subsection (a) is located within walking distance of a stop on a public transportation route.

(2)

Availability in rural areas

The State shall ensure that polling places which allow voting during an early voting period under subsection (a) will be located in rural areas of the State, and shall ensure that such polling places are located in communities which will provide the greatest opportunity for residents of rural areas to vote during the early voting period.

(d)

Standards

(1)

In general

The Commission shall issue standards for the administration of voting prior to the day scheduled for a Federal election. Such standards shall include the nondiscriminatory geographic placement of polling places at which such voting occurs.

(2)

Deviation

The standards described in paragraph (1) shall permit States, upon providing adequate public notice, to deviate from any requirement in the case of unforeseen circumstances such as a natural disaster, terrorist attack, or a change in voter turnout.

(e)

Ballot processing and scanning requirements

(1)

In general

The State shall begin processing and scanning ballots cast during early voting for tabulation at least 14 days prior to the date of the election involved.

(2)

Limitation

Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to permit a State to tabulate ballots in an election before the closing of the polls on the date of the election.

(f)

Effective date

This section shall apply with respect to the regularly scheduled general election for Federal office held in November 2022 and each succeeding election for Federal office.

.

(b)

Conforming amendment relating to issuance of voluntary guidance by Election Assistance Commission

Section 311(b) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 21101(b)) is amended—

(1)

by striking and at the end of paragraph (2);

(2)

by striking the period at the end of paragraph (3) and inserting ; and; and

(3)

by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(4)

in the case of the recommendations with respect to section 304, June 30, 2022.

.

(c)

Conforming amendment relating to enforcement

Section 401 of such Act (52 U.S.C. 21111) is amended by striking and 303 and inserting 303, and 304.

(d)

Clerical amendment

The table of contents of such Act, is amended—

(1)

by redesignating the items relating to sections 304 and 305 as relating to sections 305 and 306; and

(2)

by inserting after the item relating to section 303 the following new item:

Sec. 304. Early voting.

.