HR-4477 : Still Just a Bill

The H.R. 4477, also known as the "American Confidence in Elections: District of Columbia Election Integrity and Voter Confidence Act," proposes amendments to the Help America Vote Act of 2002, specifically targeting elections in the District of Columbia. The key provisions include:

• Photo Identification: Requires voters to present photo identification to receive a ballot, whether voting in person or submitting an absentee ballot application. Acceptable forms of ID include driver's licenses, passports, military IDs, tribal IDs, student IDs, or the last four digits of the social security number.
• Voter Registration Maintenance: Mandates annual list maintenance to remove ineligible voters, with specific procedures for those who haven't voted in two consecutive years. It also prohibits same-day voter registration, requiring registration at least 30 days before an election.
• Restrictions on Ballot Collection: Bans the collection and transmission of ballots by third parties, with exceptions for election officials, postal workers, family members, household members, and caregivers.
• Timely Election Result Reporting: Requires the District of Columbia to begin processing mail-in ballots as soon as they are received and report election results to the public by 10:00 am the day after the election. The bill also mandates the publication of the number of voted ballots on election day and requires bipartisan election administration activities.
• Citizenship Requirement: Explicitly prohibits non-citizens from voting in District of Columbia elections.
• Provisional Ballots: Sets rules for provisional ballots, including cases where voters lack required identification.
• Post-Election Audits: Mandates post-election audits to assess the effectiveness and accuracy of voting systems.
• Public Observation of Election Procedures: Allows designated representatives of candidates, political parties, and ballot initiative committees to observe election procedures. It also grants members of the public the right to observe testing of election equipment.
• Mail-In Ballot Requirements: Prohibits unsolicited mail-in ballots and requires signature verification. It also includes an opportunity for voters to cure signature discrepancies or other defects. The bill also sets a deadline for accepting mail-in ballots, with an exception for absent military and overseas voters.
• Drop Box Security: Sets security requirements for ballot drop boxes, including location restrictions, 24-hour surveillance, and daily ballot collection.

These amendments would take effect for District of Columbia elections held on or after January 1, 2024.