Overview

Title

To repeal the National Voter Registration Act of 1993.

ELI5 AI

H. R. 55 is a proposal to get rid of a law that helps people sign up to vote in federal elections across the United States. If this law goes away, it might make it harder for some people to be able to vote.

Summary AI

H. R. 55 seeks to repeal the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, which is a law that established regulations for voter registration in federal elections across the United States. The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives by Mr. Biggs of Arizona and Mr. Perry and has been referred to the Committee on House Administration for further consideration.

Published

2025-01-03
Congress: 119
Session: 1
Chamber: HOUSE
Status: Introduced in House
Date: 2025-01-03
Package ID: BILLS-119hr55ih

Keywords AI

national voter registration act repeal voter registration h. r. 55 voter disenfranchisement federal elections house of representatives voting rights legislation voter accessibility

Sources

Bill Statistics

Size

Sections:
1
Words:
127
Pages:
1
Sentences:
5

Language

Nouns: 46
Verbs: 7
Adjectives: 2
Adverbs: 0
Numbers: 10
Entities: 20

Complexity

Average Token Length:
4.18
Average Sentence Length:
25.40
Token Entropy:
4.01
Readability (ARI):
14.15

AnalysisAI

Bill Summary

The proposed legislation, H.R. 55, seeks to repeal the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) of 1993. Originally enacted to make it easier for Americans to register to vote, the NVRA allowed processes such as registration at motor vehicle departments and mail-in forms. This bill was introduced by Mr. Biggs of Arizona and Mr. Perry, and it aims to eliminate the NVRA entirely.

Significant Issues

The repeal of the NVRA raises several important concerns. Firstly, the bill provides no context or explanation for its introduction. There is a lack of clarity regarding the reasons for wanting to repeal this act, which primarily served to simplify and expand voter registration processes across the United States. This absence of context may lead to speculation about the motivations behind the bill, especially regarding potential voter disenfranchisement.

Secondly, there is no indication of an alternative framework or measures to replace the NVRA. This omission leaves ambiguity around the future of voter registration processes and protection for citizens' voting rights.

Broad Impact on the Public

If enacted, the repeal could have broad implications for the voter registration landscape in the United States. Removing the NVRA without a replacement could complicate voter registration processes, making it harder for individuals to register. As a result, there could be a decrease in voter participation, thereby affecting democratic engagement and representation across the country. The accessibility of voter registration is crucial for ensuring widespread participation in elections, a cornerstone of democracy.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

Voters and Advocacy Groups

The repeal could negatively impact prospective voters, especially those who have historically benefited from the NVRA’s provision for registration at driver's license offices—commonly known as "motor voter" registration—and other accessible methods. Groups such as young voters, low-income citizens, and mobile populations who rely more heavily on these simplified processes might find it more challenging to participate. Advocacy groups focused on increasing voter turnout could face additional hurdles as they work to help these groups navigate potentially more cumbersome registration systems.

State and Local Election Officials

State and local election officials could also be affected by the repeal, as they would need to devise or reinstate new methods of voter registration. This could lead to increased administrative burdens and costs as they adapt to a new system. Without federal guidance from the NVRA, there may also be inconsistency in how states handle registrations, potentially leading to confusion and disparities in registering voters.

In conclusion, while H.R. 55 aims to repeal an existing voter registration framework, it does so without providing a clear path forward. This absence raises concerns about voter access and the administrative impact on election officials, highlighting the need for comprehensive discourse and thoughtful consideration before any legislative actions are taken.

Issues

  • The repeal of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 could have significant impacts on voter registration processes across the United States, potentially leading to voter disenfranchisement. This is explicitly noted in Section 1.

  • The bill lacks context and fails to provide justification for the repeal, leaving ambiguity around the legislative intent and the potential consequences, as highlighted in Section 1.

  • There is no indication of any alternative measures or protections to ensure voter registration accessibility post-repeal, which can raise legal and ethical concerns regarding citizens' voting rights. This issue is addressed in Section 1.

Sections

Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.

1. Repeal of National Voter Registration Act of 1993 Read Opens in new tab

Summary AI

The section repeals the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, which was a law designed to make it easier for Americans to register to vote.