H.R. 4316House118th Congress (2023-2025)In Committee

Citizen Ballot Protection Act

AI-Generated Summary

Updated January 20, 2026 at 9:28 AM UTC

The Citizen Ballot Protection Act amends the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to let states add a citizenship‑proof requirement to their mail‑in voter registration forms. It changes the language of the law so that, in addition to existing criteria, a state may ask applicants to show they are U.S. citizens. The bill also corrects a reference from the Federal Election Commission to the Election Assistance Commission and sets the amendment to take effect when the law is enacted. It affects any state that uses mail voter registration forms and the voters who fill them out.

Key Provisions

Amends the NVRA to allow a state to require proof of U.S. citizenship on mail voter registration applications, in addition to existing eligibility criteria.
Updates the statutory reference, replacing “Federal Election Commission” with “Election Assistance Commission.”
Specifies that the changes become effective on the date the Act is enacted.

Legislative Activity

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5 earlier actions

HouseCalendars Latest Action

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 316.

February 13, 2024

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

June 23, 2023

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.

Committee on House Administration

June 23, 2023

HouseCommittee

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

Committee on House Administration

November 30, 2023

HouseCommittee

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 4 - 3.

Committee on House Administration

November 30, 2023

HouseCommittee

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on House Administration. H. Rept. 118-386.

Committee on House Administration

February 13, 2024

HouseCalendars

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 316.

February 13, 2024

Bill Text

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Reported in HouseIssued February 13, 2024

Union Calendar No. 316

118th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 4316

[Report No. 118–386]

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

June 23, 2023

Mr. Palmer (for himself, Mr. Edwards, Mr. Clyde, Mr. Weber of Texas, Mr. Higgins of Louisiana, Mr. Duncan, Mr. Crenshaw, Mr. Biggs, and Mr. Bost) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on House Administration

February 13, 2024

Additional sponsor: Mr. Van Drew

February 13, 2024

Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed

Omit the part struck through and insert the part printed in italic

A BILL

To amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to permit a State to include as part of the mail voter registration form a requirement that applicants provide proof of citizenship, and for other purposes.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Citizen Ballot Protection Act.

Contents of State mail voter registration form

(a)

In general

Section 6(a) of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20505(a)) is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (1), by inserting , except that a State may, in addition to the criteria stated in section 9(b), require that an applicant provide proof that the applicant is a citizen of the United States after elections for Federal office; and

(2)

in paragraph (2), by inserting and such form may include a requirement that the applicant provide proof that the applicant is a citizen of the United States after elections for Federal office.

(b)

Technical correction

Section 6(a)(1) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 20505(a)(1)) is amended by striking Federal Election Commission and inserting Election Assistance Commission.

~~(b)~~(c)

Effective date

This section shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.

February 13, 2024

Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed