Skip to content
PoliticalRepoPoliticalRepo

United States · Bill · S

S. 250 (102nd)

National Voter Registration Act of 1992

openUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

23 January 1991

Last action

25 September 1992 · Floor

Status

Message on Senate action sent to the House.

Sponsors

Sen. Ford, Wendell H. [D-KY], Sen. Hatfield, Mark O. [R-OR], Sen. Inouye, Daniel K. [D-HI], Sen. Akaka, Daniel K. [D-HI], Sen. DeConcini, Dennis [D-AZ], Sen. Adams, Brock [D-WA], Sen. Cranston, Alan [D-CA], Sen. Durenberger, Dave [R-MN], Sen. Dodd, Christopher J. [D-CT], Sen. Lieberman, Joseph I. [ID-CT], Sen. Pell, Claiborne [D-RI], Sen. Biden, Joseph R., Jr. [D-DE], Sen. Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT], Sen. Kerry, John F. [D-MA], Sen. Wirth, Timothy [D-CO], Sen. Rockefeller, John D., IV [D-WV], Sen. Bradley, Bill [D-NJ], Sen. Bentsen, Lloyd M. [D-TX], Sen. Mikulski, Barbara A. [D-MD], Sen. Moynihan, Daniel Patrick [D-NY], Sen. Gore, Albert, Jr. [D-TN], Sen. Bingaman, Jeff [D-NM], Sen. Wellstone, Paul D. [D-MN], Sen. Sarbanes, Paul S. [D-MD], Sen. Kohl, Herb [D-WI], Sen. Exon, J. James [D-NE], Sen. Mitchell, George J. [D-ME], Sen. Glenn, John H., Jr. [D-OH], Sen. Daschle, Thomas A. [D-SD], Sen. Conrad, Kent [D-ND], Sen. Lautenberg, Frank R. [D-NJ], Sen. Simon, Paul [D-IL], Sen. Breaux, John B. [D-LA], Sen. Wofford, Harris [D-PA], Sen. Johnston, J. Bennett [D-LA], Sen. Packwood, Bob [R-OR]

Subjects

Postal service

Source updated

14 January 2025

Postal service

Official sourceDownload fileView documentsShare

Summary

National Voter Registration Act of 1991 - Requires each State to establish procedures with respect to presidential and congressional elections to permit voter registration by: (1) application in person simultaneously with application for a motor vehicle driver's license; (2) mail application; or (3) application in person at designated Federal, State, or nongovernmental office locations. Declares that this Act does not apply to any State that has no voter registration requirement with respect to elections for Federal office, or in which voters may register at the polling place at the time of a general election for Federal office. Requires each State to: (1) assure that any eligible applicant who submits an application by a certain deadline before the election is registered to vote in the election; (2) require the appropriate State election official to notify each applicant of the disposition of the application; (3) provide that the name of a voter may not be removed from the official list of eligible voters except by reason of death, criminal conviction, mental incapacity, change in residence, or voter request; (4) inform applicants under this Act of voter eligibility requirements and penalties provided by law for submission of a false voter registration application; (5) incorporate in application forms and other forms used at locations specified in this Act some means by which the person completing the form may decline to register to vote in elections for Federal office; and (6) provide a registration form to any individual who does not decline to register. Provides that any State program or activity to protect the integrity of the electoral process by assuring an accurate and current voter registration roll for elections for Federal office: (1) shall be uniform and nondiscriminatory; and (2) shall not result in the removal of the name of any person from the official list of registered voters for failing to vote. Prohibits a general or comprehensive program which is designed to systematically remove ineligible voters from the rolls from taking place less than 60 days prior to a primary or general election for Federal office. Prohibits a State from removing the name of a voter from the official list of eligible voters for Federal elections on the grounds that the registrant has moved, unless such registrant: (1) confirms in writing that he or she has changed residence to a place outside the jurisdiction of the registrar; or (2) has failed to respond to a notice from the registrar and has not appeared to vote and, if necessary, correct the address in an election during a certain period. States that in the event of a change of address, for voting purposes, of a voter to another address within the same jurisdiction, the registrar shall correct the voting registration list accordingly. Prohibits such voter's name from being removed from the registry of eligible voters by reason of such change of address, except as provided in this Act. Requires the United States attorney to give the chief State election official written notice of an offender's felony conviction in Federal district court. Amends Federal postal rate law to require the Postal Service to make certain lower postal rates available to State or local election officials who certify that a mailing is in furtherance of this Act. Directs the Federal Election Commission to: (1) develop a mail voter registration application form for Federal elections; (2) submit, not later than June 30 of each odd-numbered year, to the Congress a report assessing the impact of this Act on the administration of Federal elections during the preceding two-year period; and (3) provide information to the States with respect to their responsibilities. Requires each State to designate a chief State election official to coordinate State functions under this Act. Provides a private right of action for an individual aggrieved by a violation of this Act. Provides for the awarding of attorney fees to the prevailing party, other than the United States. Imposes criminal penalties upon any person who: (1) intimidates, threatens, or coerces any person for registering or voting or exercising any right under this Act; or (2) deprives or defrauds the inhabitants of a State of a fair and impartially conducted election process.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

  1. 23 January 1991

    Introduced

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules.

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 23 January 1991

    Introduced

    Introduced in Senate

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 21 March 1991

    Committee

    Committee on Rules. Hearings held.

    Source: Committee

  4. 17 April 1991

    Committee

    Committee on Rules. Hearings held.

    Source: Committee

  5. 24 April 1991

    Reported

    Committee on Rules. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

    Source: Committee

  6. 21 May 1991

    Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 89.

    Source: Calendars

  7. 21 May 1991

    Reported

    Committee on Rules. Reported to Senate by Senator Ford with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 102-60. Additional and minority views filed.

    Source: Committee

  8. 21 May 1991

    Reported

    Committee on Rules. Reported to Senate by Senator Ford with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 102-60. Additional and minority views filed.

    Source: Committee

  9. 16 July 1991

    Floor

    Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate.

    Source: Floor

  10. 17 July 1991

    Floor

    Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate.

    Source: Floor

  11. 18 July 1991

    Vote

    First cloture on the motion to proceed not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 57-41. Record Vote No: 134.

    Source: Floor

  12. 25 October 1991

    Floor

    Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate.

    Source: Floor

  13. 7 May 1992

    Vote

    Cloture on the motion to proceed invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 61-38. Record Vote No: 86.

    Source: Floor

  14. 12 May 1992

    Floor

    Considered by Senate.

    Source: Floor

  15. 14 May 1992

    Floor

    Considered by Senate.

    Source: Floor

  16. 19 May 1992

    Floor

    Considered by Senate.

    Source: Floor

  17. 20 May 1992

    Vote

    Passed Senate with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 61-38. Record Vote No: 98.

    Source: Floor

  18. 20 May 1992

    Vote

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 61-38. Record Vote No: 98.

    Source: Floor

  19. 21 May 1992

    Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

    Source: Floor

  20. 21 May 1992

    Floor

    Held at the desk.

    Source: Floor

  21. 21 May 1992

    Floor

    Received in the House.

    Source: Floor

  22. 11 June 1992

    Reported

    Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 480 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of S. 250 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit. Measure will be considered read. A specified amendment is in order. No amendment to the bill shall be in order except the amendment printed in the report of the Committee on Rules accompanying this resolution. Said amendment shall not be subject to amendment and shall be debatable for not to exceed one hour.

    Source: Floor

  23. 16 June 1992

    Passed

    Rule H. Res. 480 passed House.

    Source: Floor

  24. 16 June 1992

    Vote

    Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 268 - 153 (Roll no. 194).

    Source: Floor

  25. 16 June 1992

    Floor

    The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

    Source: Floor

  26. 16 June 1992

    Floor

    The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report S. 250.

    Source: Floor

  27. 16 June 1992

    Passed

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

    Source: Floor

  28. 16 June 1992

    Vote

    On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 268 - 153 (Roll no. 194).

    Source: Floor

  29. 16 June 1992

    Floor

    The Speaker designated the Honorable Jim McDermott to act as Chairman of the Committee.

    Source: Floor

  30. 16 June 1992

    Floor

    House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 480 and Rule XXIII.

    Source: Floor

  31. 16 June 1992

    Floor

    Rule provides for consideration of S. 250 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit. Measure will be considered read. A specified amendment is in order. No amendment to the bill shall be in order except the amendment printed in the report of the Committee on Rules accompanying this resolution. Said amendment shall not be subject to amendment and shall be debatable for not to exceed one hour.

    Source: Floor

  32. 16 June 1992

    Floor

    Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 480.

    Source: Floor

  33. 17 June 1992

    Floor

    Message on House action received in Senate.

    Source: Floor

  34. 24 June 1992

    Floor

    Presented to President.

    Source: Floor

  35. 24 June 1992

    President

    Presented to President.

    Source: President

  36. 2 July 1992

    Veto

    Veto message received in Senate. Held at the desk.

    Source: Veto

  37. 2 July 1992

    President

    Vetoed by President.

    Source: President

  38. 2 July 1992

    President

    Vetoed by President.

    Source: President

  39. 21 September 1992

    Floor

    Veto message considered by Senate.

    Source: Floor

  40. 22 September 1992

    Vote

    Failed of passage in Senate over veto by Yea-Nay Vote. 62-38. Record Vote No: 226.

    Source: Veto

  41. 22 September 1992

    Vote

    Failed of passage in Senate over veto: Failed of passage in Senate over veto by Yea-Nay Vote. 62-38. Record Vote No: 226.

    Source: Veto

  42. 25 September 1992

    Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

    Source: Floor

Votes

22 September 1992 · Veto Sustained · On Overriding the Veto S. 250 · Veto Sustained · Official source

Yes 62 · No 38 · Abstain — · Absent/not voting 0

Showing the first 4 recorded positions. Vote totals above are complete.

20 May 1992 · Bill Passed · On Passage of the Bill S. 250 · Bill Passed · Official source

Yes 61 · No 38 · Abstain — · Absent/not voting 1

Showing the first 4 recorded positions. Vote totals above are complete.

7 May 1992 · Cloture Motion Agreed to · On the Cloture Motion S. 250 · Cloture Motion Agreed to · Official source

Yes 61 · No 38 · Abstain — · Absent/not voting 1

Showing the first 4 recorded positions. Vote totals above are complete.

18 July 1991 · Cloture Motion Rejected · On the Cloture Motion S. 250 · Cloture Motion Rejected · Official source

Yes 57 · No 41 · Abstain — · Absent/not voting 2

Showing the first 4 recorded positions. Vote totals above are complete.

Versions

Documents

7 official files

Reported to Senate (text)

View fileDownload file

This file cannot be previewed here. Use View or Download.

Leesvertaling

Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.

Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.

  • Reported to Senate (text)

    Reported to Senate · EN

    ViewDownloadOpen at official source

  • Introduced in Senate (text)

    Introduced in Senate · EN

    ViewDownloadOpen at official source

    Leesvertaling

    Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.

    Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.

  • Engrossed in Senate (text)

    Engrossed in Senate · EN

    ViewDownloadOpen at official source

    Leesvertaling

    Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.

    Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.

  • Enrolled Bill (text)

    Enrolled Bill · EN

    ViewDownloadOpen at official source

    Leesvertaling

    Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.

    Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.

  • Passed Senate amended

    summary · EN · 20 May 1992

    Open at official source

    Leesvertaling

    Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.

    Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.

  • Reported to Senate with amendment(s)

    summary · EN · 21 May 1991

    Open at official source

    Leesvertaling

    Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.

    Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.

  • Introduced in Senate

    summary · EN · 23 January 1991

    Open at official source

    Leesvertaling

    Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.

    Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.

Sponsors

Related records

Showing 9 of 39 related records.

Sources

PoliticalRepo is an index and interpretation layer, not the authoritative legal source.