Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ)
Filer Voter Act
A Democratic bill with 5 Democratic cosponsors · See all 5 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Tax Filer Voter Registration Act," seeks to amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993. It designates certain tax return preparers as voter registration agencies for the purpose of distributing voter registration forms. These preparers can meet requirements by displaying physical forms in their offices or providing online hyperlinks to registration forms or websites. The law excludes certain smaller-scale preparers who prepare fewer than 100 returns. Additionally, the Secretary of the Treasury is tasked with providing guidance and updating specific sheets used by certified volunteer tax preparers.
Yes· 3 of 30
- Scored +8
Does this make casting a ballot easier in practice?
Expands access to voter registration forms through both in-person and online tax preparation services.
- Scored +7
Would people over 65 be better off under this?
Specifically targets the Tax Counseling for the Elderly Program to help seniors register.
- Scored +7
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
Increases registration access through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased accessibility to registration forms via in-person services: Tax return preparers who meet customers in person can display mail voter registration application forms in a visible and accessible manner (Section 2(a)(1)(2)(A)).
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Increased accessibility to registration forms via online services: Preparers who provide services online can provide a prominent hyperlink to a mail voter registration application form or an official election website (Section 2(a)(1)(2)(B)).
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Specific outreach for volunteer tax programs: Certified volunteer tax preparers receiving certain federal funding will have updated intake and interview sheets that include a question asking if the individual wants to receive a form to register to vote or update their information (Section 2(b)(2)).
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Improved visibility at volunteer sites: Requirements for quality sites for funded volunteer tax preparers will be revised to include a mandate that sites clearly and prominently display voter registration application forms (Section 2(b)(3)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts or burdens are identified within the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Increases registration access through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. Would retired people be better off under this? — Directly benefits retirees through the Tax Counseling for the Elderly Program. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Specifically targets the Tax Counseling for the Elderly Program to help seniors register. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — Increases access to registration for those utilizing community-based tax services. Would Asian Americans be better off under this? — Increases access to registration for those utilizing community-based tax services. Would billionaires be better off under this? — Provides convenient access to registration forms during tax preparation. Would farmers be better off under this? — Increases accessibility to registration during tax filing. Would high-income households be better off under this? — Provides convenient access to registration forms during tax preparation. Would people with substantial wealth be better off under this? — Provides convenient access to registration forms during tax preparation. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — Increases access to registration for those utilizing community-based tax services. Would LGBTQ people be better off under this? — Increases general accessibility to voter registration. Would men be better off under this? — Increases general accessibility to voter registration. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Increases convenience for registering to vote while filing taxes. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Makes voter registration more convenient during annual tax filing. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — Increases access to registration for those utilizing community-based tax services. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — Online registration hyperlinks improve accessibility for some individuals with disabilities. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Increases access through local tax preparers and online services. Would students be better off under this? — Provides a convenient way for young adults to register during tax season. Would the very wealthiest people be better off under this? — Provides convenient access to registration forms during tax preparation. Would union members be better off under this? — Increases general accessibility to voter registration. Would people in cities be better off under this? — Increases access through various tax preparation centers. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — Increases general accessibility to voter registration. Would white Americans be better off under this? — Increases convenience of registration during tax filing. Would women be better off under this? — Increases general accessibility to voter registration. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Provides an additional point of access for registration, particularly for those using online tax services.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make casting a ballot easier in practice? — Expands access to voter registration forms through both in-person and online tax preparation services. Does this protect the right to vote? — Increases opportunities for citizens to register to vote during the tax preparation process. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Increases voting access for low-income individuals who use community volunteer tax programs.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make elections run better? — Facilitates higher voter registration rates by leveraging existing tax filing touchpoints. Does this give the federal government more power? — Expands federal requirements for tax preparers to act as voter registration agencies.
- 4/14/2026
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- 3/26/2026
- Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Sheila Cherfilus-McCormickDemocrat · Florida
Jonathan JacksonDemocrat · Illinois
Greg LandsmanDemocrat · Ohio
Paul TonkoDemocrat · New York
Rashida TlaibDemocrat · Michigan