House Republicans unveil ‘Make Elections Great Again Act’ overhauling federal voting rules

WASHINGTON, DC: House Republicans on Thursday introduced a wide-ranging election reform bill that would overhaul several key parts of how federal elections are conducted, placing new limits on mail-in voting, tightening voter registration rules and setting national standards for ballot handling.

The proposal, titled the 'Make Elections Great Again Act', was pushed by Rep Bryan Steil of Wisconsin who chairs the House Administration Committee.

Republicans say the bill is aimed at restoring public confidence in elections after years of political battles over voting laws and election administration.

Photo ID and citizenship checks for voters

One of the central elements of the bill would require voters to show photo identification when casting a ballot in elections.

It would also require proof of US citizenship at the time of voter registration.

Republicans argue these requirements are basic safeguards that help ensure only eligible voters participate in elections. 

The bill would significantly tighten rules surrounding mail-in ballots, a system that expanded dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under the proposal, mail ballots would only be counted if they are received by the time polls close on Election Day.

An exception would be made for US military members serving overseas.

Currently, several states allow ballots to be counted days after the election as long as they are postmarked on time.

Republicans say that practice leads to long vote counts and fuels mistrust in election results.

The legislation would also eliminate universal mail-in voting by requiring voters to actively request a ballot instead of automatically receiving one.

States should use paper ballots, follow voter roll rules

Another provision in the bill would require states to use paper ballots that can be audited in federal elections. 

While most voting systems already rely on paper records, Republicans say a nationwide requirement would make recounts and audits more transparent.

The bill also calls for stricter voter roll maintenance, requiring states to more frequently update registration lists to remove outdated or inaccurate records.

Act will prohibit the use of ranked-choice voting 

The proposal would restrict who can return completed mail ballots on behalf of voters. Only immediate family members or caregivers would be allowed to do so and no individual could submit more than four ballots at once.

Republicans say the restrictions are meant to prevent large-scale ballot collection efforts that they believe undermine election integrity. 

The bill would also bar federal agencies from using taxpayer money to encourage voter registration, a move aimed at reversing policies implemented during the Biden administration.

In addition, the legislation would prohibit the use of ranked-choice voting in federal elections. Ranked-choice voting allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference and is currently used in some state and local elections, including statewide contests in Maine and Alaska.

Republicans argue the system is confusing for voters while supporters say it gives people more choice and reduces negative campaigning.

The House proposal comes as Senate Republicans signal renewed interest in election-related legislation. Senate Majority Leader John Thune has indicated that a separate GOP-backed bill focused on proof of citizenship for voter registration could reach the Senate floor later.

The Make Elections Great Again Act has already received endorsements from several conservative election integrity groups, signaling strong support within Republican circles.