Promoting Access to Voting (E.O. 14019)

Summary

Makes federal agencies help more people register to vote and get information about elections to make voting easier for everyone.

What problem does this solve?

Many Americans, especially people of color, those with disabilities, and military members, face big challenges when trying to vote. This order directs the federal government to use its resources to make it easier for all eligible citizens to register, get information, and cast their ballots.

What does this order do?

Requires federal agencies to promote voting

Orders every federal agency to create a plan on how it can help people register to vote and participate in elections through its public services and websites.

Establishes a Native American voting rights group

Creates a special group with members from different federal agencies to study and recommend ways to protect the voting rights of Native Americans.

Improves voting access for military and overseas citizens

Directs the Secretary of Defense to help military members register to vote each year and to create a system for tracking their absentee ballots.

Modernizes the federal voting website

Requires the government to update Vote.gov to make it easier to use, more accessible for people with disabilities, and available in more languages.

Increases voting access for people with disabilities

Tasks the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) with studying barriers to voting for people with disabilities and recommending solutions.

Supports voting for individuals in federal custody

Directs the Attorney General to provide voting information and registration help to eligible people in federal prisons or under federal supervision.

Encourages federal employees to vote and volunteer

Asks for new ideas on how to give federal workers time off to vote and to serve as non-partisan poll workers.

Who does this affect?

Voters from minority communities
People with disabilities
Military members and overseas citizens

What is the real world impact?

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Increases voter participation

Uses the broad reach of federal agencies to provide voter registration information and services, aiming to increase turnout among all eligible citizens, especially those who have historically faced barriers to voting.

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Addresses voting barriers for specific groups

Creates targeted plans to help people with disabilities, military members, Native Americans, and other groups overcome specific obstacles they face in the voting process, such as lack of accessible polling places or information.

When does this start?

This order took effect on March 7, 2021, and sets several deadlines for federal agencies to complete their tasks.

Agency Voting Plans

Within 200 days (by September 24, 2021), federal agencies must submit their plans for promoting voter registration and participation.

Vote.gov Modernization Plan

Within 200 days (by September 24, 2021), the General Services Administration must submit its plan to improve the Vote.gov website.

Military Voting Procedures

Within 200 days (by September 24, 2021), the Department of Defense must create procedures to help military members vote and submit a plan for a ballot tracking system.

Disability Access Recommendations

Within 270 days (by December 2, 2021), the National Institute of Standards and Technology must publish recommendations to make voting more accessible for people with disabilities.

Native American Voting Rights Report

Within one year (by March 7, 2022), the Native American Voting Rights Steering Group must produce a report with recommendations to protect Native American voting rights.