New Bill Aims to Enhance Election Integrity

Representative Brian Steil (R-Wis.) has rolled out a significant piece of legislation intended to boost voter confidence by setting basic standards for how elections are administered, making voting more accessible, and reducing the potential for fraud.

The Make Elections Great Again (MEGA) Act, spearheaded by Steil, chair of the House Administration Committee, proposes minimum requirements for federal elections. This initiative includes a variety of measures related to election integrity that many Republican leaders and supporters of ex-President Donald Trump have prioritized.

The legislation presents an opportunity for Republicans advocating for voting integrity to voice their concerns.

“Americans need to trust that elections are conducted fairly,” Steil stated. “Implementing basic voter ID rules, ensuring clean voter rolls, and citizenship checks will enhance voter confidence and bolster the integrity of our elections, while also making it simpler to vote and harder to cheat.”

This proposal has already attracted backing from groups focused on election integrity, such as Scott Pressler, who founded Early Vote Action.

“For the past ten years, I’ve dedicated my efforts to registering voters nationwide. Fair elections are the foundation of freedom,” Pressler remarked. “We appreciate Chairman Steil’s comprehensive approach to election reform. Together, let’s ensure another successful election!”

The bill includes several key features:

• Photo ID Requirement: Voters must present a photo ID.
• Citizenship Verification: States must confirm a person’s citizenship upon voter registration.
• Voter List Maintenance: It seeks to enhance existing laws by introducing stricter maintenance protocols for voter lists.
• Mail-in Ballot Deadline: Except for military personnel overseas, mail-in ballots must arrive by the close of polls on Election Day.
• Biden Bucks Ban: It forbids the use of taxpayer funds for partisan voter registration activities by federal agencies.
• Paper Ballot Requirement: States will be mandated to utilize auditable paper ballots in federal elections.
• Prohibition on Ballot Collection: The bill bans individuals from gathering completed ballots to submit them at polling locations.
• Ban on Ranked Choice Voting: It prohibits ranked choice voting in federal general elections.
• Restrictions on Mail-in Voting: Voters are required to actively request a mail-in ballot.

The proposed legislation has received additional favorable comments from figures in the election integrity field. Jason Snead, directing the Honest Elections Project, commended Steil and the committee for their ongoing efforts to promote election integrity.

“Americans deserve election processes they can trust, which makes advancing these policies critical for our political landscape,” Snead noted. “House Republicans are clearly committed to making voting easier while minimizing opportunities for fraud.”

Steil’s initiative aims to honor the commitments of previous voting integrity laws, like the Voting Rights Act.

“This bill shines a light on the shortcomings of the original 1993 legislation. States must keep voter rolls accurate. We can no longer tolerate issues like 25,000 deceased registrants in Michigan,” commented J. Christian Adams, president of the Public Interest Law Foundation. “This bill clarifies responsibilities for maintaining voter rolls.”

Others have also welcomed this initiative as a necessary update to the electoral process.

“Federal regulations regarding voter roll maintenance have often obstructed states dedicated to securing their elections and have allowed others to neglect their responsibilities,” said Justin Riemer, president of Restoring Integrity and Trust in Elections (RITE). “The time for reform is long overdue.”

However, the bill faces a challenging path, as Democrats are expected to oppose any measures aimed at protecting elections. Although the Republican advantage in the House is diminishing, those opposing the legislation may face backlash from constituents eager to ensure their votes—and not those of unauthorized individuals—are counted.