WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

For you

Voters

What our breakdowns say each bill would mean for you, from groups whose heading contains vote, register, registered or election. Newest official action first.

2 bills23 points

H.R. 7008

Stop Insider Trading Act

Latest official action Sep 30, 2026 · Drafted by AI, awaiting review by two people

If you vote in person in federal elections

You would need a photo ID from a set list

  • Poll workers could not give you a regular ballot unless you show a valid physical photo ID from the bill's list.
    4the appropriate State or local election official may not provide a ballot for an election for Federal office to an individual who desires to vote in person unless the individual presents to the official a valid physical photo identification[4] H.R. 7008 as passed by the House (July 22, 2026) · Sec. 3(a)(1) → inserted 303A(a)(1)(A)a valid photo identification means, with respect to an individual who seeks to vote in an election for Federal office, any of the following[4] H.R. 7008 as passed by the House (July 22, 2026) · Sec. 3(a)(1) → inserted 303A(d)
  • A valid state driver's license would work if it has your photo and an expiration date. The same goes for a valid state ID card from the motor vehicle office.
    4A valid State-issued motor vehicle driver's license that includes a photo of the individual and an expiration date.[4] H.R. 7008 as passed by the House (July 22, 2026) · Sec. 3(a)(1) → inserted 303A(d)(1)A valid State-issued identification card that includes a photo of the individual and an expiration date issued by a State motor vehicle authority.[4] H.R. 7008 as passed by the House (July 22, 2026) · Sec. 3(a)(1) → inserted 303A(d)(2)
  • So would a valid U.S. passport or a valid photo ID card from the Defense Department or Veterans Affairs. A valid Tribal ID also works if it has a photo and an expiration date.
    4A valid United States passport for the individual.[4] H.R. 7008 as passed by the House (July 22, 2026) · Sec. 3(a)(1) → inserted 303A(d)(3)A valid photo identification card for the individual issued by the Department of Defense or the Department of Veterans Affairs.[4] H.R. 7008 as passed by the House (July 22, 2026) · Sec. 3(a)(1) → inserted 303A(d)(4)A valid identification document issued by a Tribal government that includes a photo of the individual and an expiration date.[4] H.R. 7008 as passed by the House (July 22, 2026) · Sec. 3(a)(1) → inserted 303A(d)(5)
  • Student IDs are not on the list. Neither are work IDs, unless the Defense Department or Veterans Affairs issued them.
    4a valid photo identification means, with respect to an individual who seeks to vote in an election for Federal office, any of the following[4] H.R. 7008 as passed by the House (July 22, 2026) · Sec. 3(a)(1) → inserted 303A(d)A valid photo identification card for the individual issued by the Department of Defense or the Department of Veterans Affairs.[4] H.R. 7008 as passed by the House (July 22, 2026) · Sec. 3(a)(1) → inserted 303A(d)(4)
  • Without one, you could cast a provisional ballot. It could count only if, within 3 days, you bring the ID or a signed state form saying you have a religious objection to being photographed.
    4,22the individual shall be permitted to cast a provisional ballot[4] H.R. 7008 as passed by the House (July 22, 2026) · Sec. 3(a)(1) → inserted 303A(a)(1)(B)(i)unless, not later than 3 days after casting the provisional ballot, the individual presents to the official[4] H.R. 7008 as passed by the House (July 22, 2026) · Sec. 3(a)(1) → inserted 303A(a)(1)(B)(i)the identification required under subparagraph (A); or[4] H.R. 7008 as passed by the House (July 22, 2026) · Sec. 3(a)(1) → inserted 303A(a)(1)(B)(i)(I)an affidavit developed and made available to the individual by the State attesting that the individual does not possess the identification required under subparagraph (A) because the individual has a religious objection to being photographed[4] H.R. 7008 as passed by the House (July 22, 2026) · Sec. 3(a)(1) → inserted 303A(a)(1)(B)(i)(II)determines that the individual is eligible under State law to vote, the individual's provisional ballot shall be counted as a vote in that election in accordance with State law[22] 52 U.S.C. 21082, U.S. Code 2024 edition (provisional voting, HAVA section 302) · (a)(4)

If you vote by mail in federal elections

You would send a copy of your photo ID with your ballot

  • Your ballot would need to come with a copy of a valid photo ID, unless you use another option the bill allows.
    4may not accept any ballot for an election for Federal office provided by an individual who votes other than in person unless the individual[4] H.R. 7008 as passed by the House (July 22, 2026) · Sec. 3(a)(1) → inserted 303A(a)(2)(A)submits with the ballot a copy of a valid photo identification[4] H.R. 7008 as passed by the House (July 22, 2026) · Sec. 3(a)(1) → inserted 303A(a)(2)(A)(i)
  • Can't get a copy after trying? You could instead send the last four digits of your Social Security number and a signed state form.
    4submits with the ballot the last four digits of the individual's Social Security number and an affidavit developed and made available to the individual by the State attesting that the individual is unable to obtain a copy of a valid photo identification after making reasonable efforts to obtain such a copy[4] H.R. 7008 as passed by the House (July 22, 2026) · Sec. 3(a)(1) → inserted 303A(a)(2)(A)(ii)
  • Or a notary could sign a statement that you marked the ballot yourself.
    4includes a notarization by a notary public attesting that the individual has personally marked the ballot[4] H.R. 7008 as passed by the House (July 22, 2026) · Sec. 3(a)(1) → inserted 303A(a)(2)(A)(iii)
  • If your mailed ballot comes without one of these, officials could not accept it. The bill gives in-person voters 3 days to bring ID, but it sets no such window for mail ballots.
    4may not accept any ballot for an election for Federal office provided by an individual who votes other than in person unless the individual[4] H.R. 7008 as passed by the House (July 22, 2026) · Sec. 3(a)(1) → inserted 303A(a)(2)(A)unless, not later than 3 days after casting the provisional ballot, the individual presents to the official[4] H.R. 7008 as passed by the House (July 22, 2026) · Sec. 3(a)(1) → inserted 303A(a)(1)(B)(i)
  • Where they can, state or local officials would have to offer free copiers or scanners. These would be in public buildings such as courts, libraries, and police stations.
    4shall ensure, to the extent practicable, public access to a digital imaging device[4] H.R. 7008 as passed by the House (July 22, 2026) · Sec. 3(a)(1) → inserted 303A(b)including courts, libraries, and police stations, for the purpose of allowing individuals to use such a device at no cost to the individual to make a copy of a valid photo identification[4] H.R. 7008 as passed by the House (July 22, 2026) · Sec. 3(a)(1) → inserted 303A(b)

If you register to vote

You would be told about the ID rules

  • When you sign up to vote in federal elections, officials would have to tell you about the photo ID rules.
    4at the time an individual applies to register to vote in elections for Federal office in the State, the appropriate State or local election official notifies the individual of the photo identification requirements of this section[4] H.R. 7008 as passed by the House (July 22, 2026) · Sec. 3(a)(1) → inserted 303A(c)(1)
  • If you sign up online, the site would have to tell you before you finish.
    4the online voter registration system notifies the individual of the photo identification requirements of this section before the individual completes the online registration process[4] H.R. 7008 as passed by the House (July 22, 2026) · Sec. 3(a)(1) → inserted 303A(c)(2)

Read the full breakdown of H.R. 7008

H.R. 22

SAVE Act

Latest official action Apr 10, 2025 · Drafted by AI, awaiting review by two people

If you register to vote after it takes effect

You would need proof of citizenship

If you register by mail or at the DMV

The paper or DMV form alone would not be enough

  • If you mail in a form, you would not be registered until you show your proof in person by your state's deadline.
    3in person to the office of the appropriate election official not later than the deadline provided by State law[3] H.R. 22 as passed by the House (Apr. 10, 2025) · Sec. 2(d)(4) → inserted (e)(1)(A)
  • In states with same-day registration, you could show it at the polling place.
    3the applicant presents documentary proof of United States citizenship to the appropriate election official at the polling place[3] H.R. 22 as passed by the House (Apr. 10, 2025) · Sec. 2(d)(4) → inserted (e)(1)(B)
  • A driver's license application would still count as a voter registration application, but only after the citizenship rules are met.
    3Subject to the requirements under section 8(j), each State motor vehicle driver's license application[3] H.R. 22 as passed by the House (Apr. 10, 2025) · Sec. 2(c)(1)

If you are already registered

The new proof rule is for new applications

  • The rules apply to applications submitted on or after the day the bill becomes law.
    3shall apply with respect to applications for voter registration which are submitted on or after such date[3] H.R. 22 as passed by the House (Apr. 10, 2025) · Sec. 8
  • States would have to remove anyone from the rolls once they get proof the person is not a citizen.
    3upon receipt of documentation or verified information that a registrant is not a United States citizen[3] H.R. 22 as passed by the House (Apr. 10, 2025) · Sec. 2(f)(3) → inserted (k)

If you work in an election office

Officials could face lawsuits and criminal charges

Read the full breakdown of H.R. 22

Breakdowns marked “Drafted by AI” passed our automatic checks and are waiting for human review, as shown on each bill page.