General Summary

House Bill H. R. 6493, introduced in the 118th Congress, aims to limit the involvement of federal agencies in voter registration activities. The bill specifically targets Executive Order 14019, which promotes access to voting. The proposal stipulates that this executive order shall no longer have any effect, and any ongoing contracts or arrangements stemming from it must be nullified. Moreover, the bill prohibits federal funds from being used by agencies to partner with nongovernmental organizations for voter registration or mobilization on federal properties or their websites. In addition, the bill suggests that federal work-study programs should not include voter registration and mobilization activities. Lastly, the proposal calls for federal agencies to report on past voter registration activities within 30 days to designated congressional committees.

Significant Issues

A primary concern surrounding this bill is the ambiguous title in Section 1, presenting two different names for the Act, which could cause legal confusion and raise questions about the legislation's legitimacy.

Section 2 outlines several substantive concerns. First, the retroactive nature of nullifying Executive Order 14019 could lead to legal challenges, especially if contractual responsibilities have already been met. Second, restricting federal agencies from collaborating with nongovernmental entities using federal funds for voter registration activities may be interpreted as a hindrance to democratic engagement efforts. Third, prohibiting such activities within federal work-study programs could limit students' civic engagement opportunities. Finally, the definition of "appropriate congressional committees" is restricted to a select few, potentially excluding other important stakeholders from contributing to voter registration oversight and collaboration.

Impact on the Public

The bill could significantly impact public engagement in the electoral process. By limiting federal involvement and partnerships with nongovernmental organizations, the bill could make it harder for individuals to access voter registration services, potentially decreasing voter participation. Citizens who rely on federal properties, websites, or work-study programs for voter registration assistance might be especially affected, as the pathways for registering to vote through these means would be diminished.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

Federal Agencies: Agencies would need to cease any activities related to voter registration as guided by Executive Order 14019, which could disrupt ongoing processes and require reallocation of resources.

Nongovernmental Organizations: Organizations that previously partnered with federal agencies to enhance voter registration efforts might find their roles and capacities limited, which could hinder their ability to reach certain communities.

Students and Educational Institutions: The prohibition of voter registration activities in federal work-study programs could curtail civic engagement opportunities for students, reducing the chances for educational institutions to foster a politically active student body.

Congressional Committees: The specified congressional committees would bear the responsibility for oversight and ensuring compliance with the new mandates, possibly requiring increased administrative efforts.

Overall, the bill might be seen as a restrictive measure towards increasing voter participation initiatives. While it intends to redefine federal roles in voter registration activities, it might limit efforts aimed at facilitating easier and broader access to voting across the United States.