Bill · H.R. 4914· House(119-HR-4914)
Unhoused Voter Opportunity Through Elections Act
- Introduced
- 8/5/2025
- Last activity
- 8/5/2025 — Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, and the Judiciary, 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.
- Sponsored by
- Nikema Williams
- Cosponsors
- - 51 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Unhoused VOTE Act" aims to remove barriers that prevent unhoused individuals from registering to vote and participating in Federal elections. It prohibits States from using nontraditional abodes, such as shelters or street locations, to deny voting rights. The bill establishes protections regarding ballot drop boxes, residence documentation, and identification requirements. It also mandates outreach efforts via official websites and notifications to shelters and social services. Additionally, the Act creates a grant program through the Election Assistance Commission to support voting access activities. These provisions are intended to take effect six months after the bill's enactment.
Yes· 3 of 6
Does this make casting a ballot easier in practice?+9
The bill enhances access through requirements for accessible drop boxes, targeted outreach to shelters, and mobile voting center grants.
Does this protect the right to vote?+8
The bill removes barriers to voter registration and voting for unhoused individuals by allowing nontraditional residences and flexible identification.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+7
The bill specifically facilitates the political participation of unhoused and low-income individuals.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Voting Access via Documentation Flexibility: The bill allows individuals to meet residence requirements through a written attestation signed under penalty of perjury, and permits the use of identification issued by entities of the criminal justice system. (Sec. 322)
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Expanded Residence Options: Unhoused individuals can use a shelter as their residence for voting purposes or use an unsheltered street location as their place of residence on applications. (Sec. 322)
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Enhanced Voter Information: Election officials are required to provide clear, accessible information on official websites, including in languages other than English, regarding how to register and vote. (Sec. 323)
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Improved Ballot Accessibility: Jurisdictions that use drop boxes must ensure they are available for in-person use, accessible, and clearly labeled, with locations determined by considering the needs of unhoused individuals. (Sec. 321)
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Targeted Outreach and Notification: Chief State election officials must notify homeless shelters and social service agencies of voter registration deadlines and election dates. (Sec. 323)
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Financial Support for Voting Programs: A grant program is established to fund activities such as operating mobile voting centers and providing direct outreach to unhoused individuals. (Sec. 301)
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts or burdens are explicitly detailed in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Voting Access+9Improves Voting Rights+8Improves Poverty Reduction+2
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Low Income Households+7Good For Urban Residents+2
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+3
- 10/1/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/25/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/3/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 8/5/2025
- Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, and the Judiciary, 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.
- 47 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Yassamin AnsariDemocrat · Arizona
Shontel BrownDemocrat · Ohio
Becca BalintDemocrat · Vermont
Wesley BellDemocrat · Missouri
Emanuel CleaverDemocrat · Missouri
Yvette ClarkeDemocrat · New York
André CarsonDemocrat · Indiana
Sean CastenDemocrat · Illinois
Troy CarterDemocrat · Louisiana
Sheila Cherfilus-McCormickDemocrat · Florida
Jasmine CrockettDemocrat · Texas
Lloyd DoggettDemocrat · Texas
Christopher DeluzioDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Suzan DelBeneDemocrat · Washington
Dwight EvansDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Sarah ElfrethDemocrat · Maryland
Cleo FieldsDemocrat · Louisiana
Shomari FiguresDemocrat · Alabama
Al GreenDemocrat · Texas
Jesús GarcíaDemocrat · Illinois
Henry JohnsonDemocrat · Georgia
Jonathan JacksonDemocrat · Illinois
Julie JohnsonDemocrat · Texas
Robin KellyDemocrat · Illinois
Raja KrishnamoorthiDemocrat · Illinois
Sydney Kamlager-DoveDemocrat · California
John LarsonDemocrat · Connecticut
Stephen LynchDemocrat · Massachusetts
Summer LeeDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Kweisi MfumeDemocrat · Maryland
Gregory MeeksDemocrat · New York
Gwen MooreDemocrat · Wisconsin
Seth MagazinerDemocrat · Rhode Island
Kevin MullinDemocrat · California
Jennifer McClellanDemocrat · Virginia
LaMonica McIverDemocrat · New Jersey
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Ayanna PressleyDemocrat · Massachusetts
Delia RamirezDemocrat · Illinois
Robert ScottDemocrat · Virginia
Janice SchakowskyDemocrat · Illinois
Marilyn StricklandDemocrat · Washington
Terri SewellDemocrat · Alabama
Emilia SykesDemocrat · Ohio
Andrea SalinasDemocrat · Oregon
Lateefah SimonDemocrat · California
Bennie ThompsonDemocrat · Mississippi
Paul TonkoDemocrat · New York
Rashida TlaibDemocrat · Michigan
Shri ThanedarDemocrat · Michigan
Marc VeaseyDemocrat · Texas