Bill · S. 5481· Senate(119-S-5481)
Youth Voting Rights Act
- Introduced
- 9/23/2026
- Last activity
- 9/23/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
- Sponsored by
- Elizabeth Warren
- Cosponsors
- - 7 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill aims to make it easier for young people in the United States to register and vote in federal elections. It allows individuals aged 16 and older to pre-register to vote and requires public colleges and universities to act as voter registration agencies. The legislation mandates that polling places be established on college campuses or that alternative voting access be provided. It also requires states to accept student identification cards for voting and bans age-based restrictions on voting by mail. Finally, the bill provides grants to states to encourage youth involvement and creates new ways for individuals to legally challenge voting rules that discriminate based on age.
Yes· 3 of 8
Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?+9
The legislation directly removes systemic voting barriers for young adults through campus polling locations, student ID acceptance, and the elimination of age-based mail-in voting restrictions.
Would students be better off under this?+9
The bill significantly benefits college and university students by designating public higher education institutions as voter registration agencies and guaranteeing accessible polling options on campus.
Does this protect the right to vote?+8
The bill enhances voting access and protections for young voters by establishing pre-registration, mandating campus polling locations, and prohibiting age-based restrictions on vote-by-mail.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Section 5: Public institutions of higher education will be treated as voter registration agencies, making it easier for students to register to vote while receiving student assistance.
-
Section 6: States must implement a pre-registration process for individuals who are 16 years of age or older, allowing young people to automatically be registered to vote for federal elections once they turn 18.
-
Section 7: States are required to make polling places available on the campuses of state public institutions of higher education on election day, or provide alternative voting procedures like free shuttles or early voting options, making it much more convenient for students to cast their ballots.
-
Section 9: State and local jurisdictions with voter identification requirements must treat student identification cards issued by higher education institutions as valid forms of voter identification.
-
Section 10: The bill establishes a Youth Engagement Fund to provide grants to states for activities that encourage youth involvement in elections, such as paid fellowships, civic education, and voter registration support.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- There are no explicit provisions in the provided text that outline negative consequences, burdens, or harms for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Students+9Good For Young Adults+9Good For Children+6
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Voting Access+8Improves Voting Rights+8
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Electoral Process+7Increases Federal Power+5
- Education And Technology
- Increases Public School Funding+4
- 9/23/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
- 8 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
Cory BookerDemocrat · New Jersey
Kirsten GillibrandDemocrat · New York
Mazie HironoDemocrat · Hawaii
Edward MarkeyDemocrat · Massachusetts
Bernie SandersIndependent · Vermont
Adam SchiffDemocrat · California
Ron WydenDemocrat · Oregon
Sheldon WhitehouseDemocrat · Rhode Island