HR 2987 United States House · 118th Congress

Election Mail Act

The Election Mail Act (HR 2987) establishes new requirements for handling mail-in ballots in federal elections to improve reliability and accessibility. It requires the Postal Service to process absentee ballots on the same day received, place postmarks indicating mailing dates on ballot envelopes, and treat election mail as first-class mail with free postage for completed ballots. The bill also mandates states to use intelligent mail barcodes on return envelopes, affix specific tags for ballot visibility, and adopt a uniform 7-day deadline for accepting mailed ballots postmarked on or before election day. These changes apply to federal elections, with most provisions taking effect for the 2024 election cycle. The bill includes additional provisions for the Postal Service to consult with Indian Tribes about voting barriers on tribal lands.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Apr 2023

Committee Review

Floor Vote

President

Introduced Apr 27, 2023 Last action Apr 27, 2023

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Committee

Apr 27, 2023

Committee

Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Accountability, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

lower

Apr 27, 2023

Introduced

Introduced in House

lower

1 primary · 81 co-sponsors