Filer Voter Act
- Sponsor
- Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12]
- Committees
- Ways and Means Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Mar 26, 2026
Bottom line
This bill expands voter registration access by integrating the distribution of voter registration forms into the tax preparation process, aiming to increase voter participation.
What it actually does
This bill amends the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to designate certain tax return preparers as voter registration agencies. It mandates that these preparers make voter registration application forms available to customers, either by displaying physical forms in offices or providing prominent hyperlinks for online services. The bill also directs the Secretary of the Treasury to provide guidance and revise forms for certified volunteer tax preparers to include voter registration prompts.
Proponents argue
Proponents argue this bill will significantly increase voter access and participation by leveraging a routine civic activity—filing taxes—to reach millions of eligible but unregistered voters. They contend it streamlines the process, making voter registration more convenient and accessible, especially for underserved communities who frequently utilize these tax preparation services.
Opponents contend
Opponents might argue that this bill places an undue burden on tax preparers, potentially diverting their focus from tax preparation and raising privacy concerns about mixing government services. They may also contend it could lead to confusion or errors in voter registration, or that it represents an overreach of federal authority into state election administration.
The bill is concise and easily readable, allowing for a quick and thorough understanding of its provisions.
Section 2(a)(1), adding subsection (e) to Section 7 of the NVRA
Designating Tax Return Preparers as Voter Registration Agencies
This provision mandates that most tax return preparers, including commercial preparers handling over 100 returns and certified volunteer preparers, are treated as voter registration agencies. This means they must make voter registration application forms available to their customers. For in-person services, forms must be visibly and accessibly displayed; for online services, a prominent hyperlink to a federal or state online registration portal must be provided.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue this provision is a highly effective way to expand voter registration, reaching a broad cross-section of the population during a common annual interaction. It leverages existing infrastructure without imposing the burden of collecting and transmitting forms on preparers, making it a low-cost, high-impact approach to civic engagement.
Critics contend
Critics may argue that this provision imposes an unfunded mandate on tax preparers, requiring them to engage in activities outside their primary business function. They might also raise concerns about potential partisan implications or the appropriateness of using tax services for voter registration, suggesting it could politicize a neutral service.
Tradeoffs
The provision balances the goal of expanding voter access with minimizing the administrative burden on tax preparers by exempting them from collecting completed forms. It also navigates the tension between federal election mandates and state control over voter registration processes.
Section 2(a)(1), adding subsection (e)(3) to Section 7 of the NVRA
Limiting Responsibilities of Tax Preparer Voter Registration Agencies
This provision explicitly exempts tax return preparers, when acting as voter registration agencies, from certain requirements typically imposed on such agencies. Specifically, they are not required to accept completed voter registration forms for transmittal to election officials, nor are they required to provide specific forms and statements related to voter registration beyond making the application forms available. They are also exempt from deadlines for transmitting forms.
Section 2(b)
Guidance and Form Revisions for Volunteer Tax Preparers
This section directs the Secretary of the Treasury to assist certified volunteer tax preparers (those funded under the Community Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Matching Grants Program or the Tax Counseling for the Elderly Program) in meeting the new voter registration requirements. It also mandates revisions to the intake and interview and quality review sheets used by these volunteers to include a question asking individuals if they want a voter registration form, along with a checkbox for their response. Additionally, it requires these volunteer sites to prominently display voter registration application forms.