SB 4369, the Absentee and Mail Voter Protection Act, would nullify Executive Order 14399, which the bill says sought to impose federal citizenship-verification and mail-ballot restrictions on federal elections. The bill declares that the executive order has no force or effect and bars the use of federal funds, including Postal Service funds, to implement, administer, enforce, or carry out that order or any similar order.
The bill also prohibits federal agencies from using funds to create a national voter registration or citizenship database for federal election purposes, to compile citizenship lists from existing databases, or to collect state voter registration or citizenship lists nationally. In addition, it restricts federal funding for activities related to regulating mail-in and absentee ballots, determining voter eligibility to vote by mail in federal elections, compelling states to produce statewide voter registration lists, or sharing those lists between federal agencies through data matching. The measure defines “agency” and “system of records” by reference to the Privacy Act.
Impact
If enacted, the bill would limit executive-branch and agency involvement in federal election administration, especially efforts tied to citizenship verification, voter list matching, and mail-ballot regulation. It would also constrain the Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security, Social Security Administration, Department of Commerce, and the U.S. Postal Service from using federal funds for the specified election-related activities. The bill would not directly change state election laws, but it would reinforce state control over voter registration lists and absentee/mail voting administration by preventing federal efforts to override or condition those systems.
Sentiment
The bill’s findings and title reflect strong support for absentee and mail voting and strong opposition to the cited executive order. The overall tone is protective of voting access and skeptical of federal executive action in election administration. No committee debate or recorded votes were provided, but the introduction by a large group of Senate Democrats suggests partisan support for the measure and opposition to the executive order it targets.
Contention
The central point of contention is the scope of presidential and federal agency authority over election administration. Supporters of the bill argue that the Constitution and existing election statutes leave regulation of elections to Congress and the states, and that the executive order would unlawfully restrict mail voting and rely on unreliable databases. Opponents of the underlying policy would likely favor stronger citizenship verification, tighter control over mail ballots, and broader federal involvement in election integrity. The bill also raises conflict over whether federal agencies, including the Postal Service, may use data matching or list-sharing to support election-related enforcement or verification.
Voting, absentee voting, disabled, blind, or voters unable to read may designate individual to deliver voter's absentee ballot application and absentee ballot to absentee election manager
Absentee voting; designee to deliver voter's absentee ballot application and absentee ballot to absentee election manager for disabled voter, authorized