The Inclusive Democracy Act of 2026 would guarantee federal voting rights for all U.S. citizens regardless of criminal conviction history. Currently, some states restrict voting rights based on felony convictions, but this bill would prohibit states and the federal government from denying or limiting voting rights in federal elections on those grounds. The legislation applies to all convictions, whether they occurred before or after the bill's enactment.
The bill requires states and federal courts to notify individuals at the time of conviction that their criminal record does not affect their federal voting rights. It mandates that probation and parole offices, prisons, and jails inform those under their supervision about voting eligibility within 90 days of the law taking effect. The Election Assistance Commission would launch a national public awareness campaign within 180 days to inform the public about these changes.
The bill establishes specific voting procedures for incarcerated individuals, including access to voter registration forms, mail-in absentee ballot voting, and the ability to use either their last known address or the prison address for registration. Prison officials would be required to transmit completed registration and ballot applications to election officials within specified timeframes, and states cannot reject applications based on delivery delays or electronic submission methods.
The legislation also requires carceral facilities to provide free internet access for election research, permit voter registration organizations to conduct outreach, and allow candidates and campaigns to distribute materials. The Attorney General and individual citizens would have authority to enforce the law through civil actions, with expedited remedies available for violations occurring close to election dates. The bill takes effect for the November 2026 general election.
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