[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4567 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 4567
To require the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a
study of the effectiveness of the Federal Government in carrying out
its responsibilities under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee
Voting Act to promote access to voting for absent uniformed services
voters and an analysis of means for improving access to voter
registration information and assistance for members of the Armed Forces
and their family members, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 21, 2025
Ms. Lee of Florida (for herself, Mr. Neguse, and Mrs. Bice) introduced
the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on House
Administration
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To require the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a
study of the effectiveness of the Federal Government in carrying out
its responsibilities under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee
Voting Act to promote access to voting for absent uniformed services
voters and an analysis of means for improving access to voter
registration information and assistance for members of the Armed Forces
and their family members, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Supporting Military Voters Act''.
SEC. 2. GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE REPORT ON IMPLEMENTATION OF
UNIFORMED AND OVERSEAS CITIZENS ABSENTEE VOTING ACT AND
IMPROVING ACCESS TO VOTER REGISTRATION INFORMATION AND
ASSISTANCE FOR ABSENT UNIFORMED SERVICES VOTERS.
(a) In General.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall
conduct--
(1) an analysis of the effectiveness of the Federal
Government in carrying out its responsibilities under the
Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (52 U.S.C.
20301 et seq.) to promote access to voting for absent uniformed
services voters; and
(2) a study on means for improving access to voter
registration information and assistance for members of the
Armed Forces and their family members.
(b) Elements.--
(1) Analysis.--The analysis required by subsection (a)(1)
shall include analysis of the following:
(A) Data and information pertaining to the
transmission of ballots to absent uniformed services
voters.
(B) Data and information pertaining to the methods
of transmission of voted ballots from absent uniformed
services voters, including the efficacy and security of
such methods.
(C) Data and information pertaining to the
treatment by election officials of voted ballots
transmitted by absent uniformed services voters,
including--
(i) the rate at which such ballots are
counted in elections;
(ii) the rate at which such ballots are
rejected in elections; and
(iii) the reasons for such rejections.
(D) An analysis of the effectiveness of the
assistance provided to absent uniformed services voters
by Voting Assistance Officers of the Federal Voting
Assistance Program of the Department of Defense.
(E) A review of the extent of coordination between
Voting Assistance Officers and State and local election
officials.
(F) Information regarding such other issues
relating to the ability of absent uniformed services
voters to register to vote, vote, and have their
ballots counted in elections for Federal office.
(G) Data and information pertaining to--
(i) the awareness of members of the Armed
Forces and their family members of the
requirement under section 1566a of title 10,
United States Code, that the Secretaries of the
military departments provide voter registration
information and assistance; and
(ii) whether members of the Armed Forces
and their family members received such
information and assistance at the times
required by subsection (c) of that section.
(2) Study.--The study required by subsection (a)(2) shall
include the following:
(A) An assessment of potential actions to be
undertaken by the Secretary of each military department
to increase access to voter registration information
and assistance for members of the Armed Forces and
their family members.
(B) An estimate of the costs and requirements to
fully meet the needs of members of the Armed Forces for
access to voter registration information and
assistance.
(c) Methods.--In conducting the analysis and study required by
subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall, in cooperation and
consultation with the Secretaries of the military departments--
(1) use existing information from available government and
other public sources; and
(2) acquire, through the Comptroller General's own
investigations, interviews, and analysis, such other
information as the Comptroller General requires to conduct the
analysis and study.
(d) Report Required.--Not later than September 30, 2027, the
Comptroller General shall submit to the Committee on Rules and
Administration of the Senate and the Committee on House Administration
of the House of Representatives a report on the analysis and study
required by subsection (a).
(e) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Absent uniformed services voter.--The term ``absent
uniformed services voter'' has the meaning given that term in
section 107 of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee
Voting Act (52 U.S.C. 20310).
(2) Family member.--The term ``family member'', with
respect to a member of the Armed Forces, means a spouse and
other dependent (as defined in section 1072 of title 10, United
States Code) of the member.
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