Ayanna Pressley (D-MA)
Inclusive Democracy Act of 2026
A Democratic bill with 13 Democratic cosponsors · See all 13 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, 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
The Inclusive Democracy Act of 2026 aims to guarantee the right to vote for all citizens regardless of criminal convictions. It mandates that states and federal courts notify individuals of their voting rights upon conviction. The bill establishes specific procedures for voter registration and absentee voting within carceral settings. It also requires the provision of internet access for political research and permits nonpartisan registration services in these settings. Finally, it includes enforcement mechanisms through the Attorney General and private rights of action.
Yes· 3 of 5
- Scored +10
Does this protect the right to vote?
The bill establishes a fundamental right to vote for all citizens regardless of criminal conviction.
- Scored +10
Does this make casting a ballot easier in practice?
The bill expands access to registration, internet research, and absentee voting for incarcerated individuals.
- Scored +8
Does this make elections run better?
The bill improves electoral processes by ensuring incarcerated individuals can register and vote.
The opposite
- Scored -5
Does this leave more decisions to the states?
The bill imposes mandatory notification and registration requirements on the states.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Guaranteed Voting Rights: The bill ensures that a criminal conviction does not deny a citizen the right to vote in Federal elections (Section 2).
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Mandatory Notification: Individuals are notified in writing by the State or Federal court about their continued eligibility to vote despite a conviction (Section s 3(a)(1)-3(a)(2)).
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Proactive Outreach for Parolees: Heads of probation or parole offices must provide written notification regarding changes to voter eligibility within 90 days of the Act's enactment (Section 3(a)(3)).
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Expanded Access in Carceral Settings: Incarcerated individuals are provided opportunities to register to vote via mail-in forms and can use their last known address or the carceral setting's address (Section 3(b)(1)-3(b)(4)).
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Streamlined Absentee Voting: The bill provides for the provision of absentee ballot applications and ensures that ballots are transmitted promptly by carceral officials (Section 3(c)(2)-3(c)(3)).
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Ballot Integrity Protection: Election officials must make a good faith effort to notify incarcerated individuals of missing signatures or defects so they can cure them (Section 3(c)(3)(F)).
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Access to Information: If available, incarcerated individuals are granted free access to internet-connected devices to research candidates and elections (Section 3(d)(1)).
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Support for Third-Party Registration: Nonpartisan entities are permitted to enter carceral settings to provide voter registration services (Section 3(e)(1)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts are explicitly detailed in the text provided.
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.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make casting a ballot easier in practice? — The bill expands access to registration, internet research, and absentee voting for incarcerated individuals. Does this protect the right to vote? — The bill establishes a fundamental right to vote for all citizens regardless of criminal conviction.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make elections run better? — The bill improves electoral processes by ensuring incarcerated individuals can register and vote. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands federal oversight of voting rights and provides a federal private right of action. Does this leave more decisions to the states? — The bill imposes mandatory notification and registration requirements on the states.
- Education And Technology
- Does this get reliable internet to more people? — The bill provides free internet access for political research in carceral settings.
- 7/22/2026
- Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, 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.
- 13 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
3 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Emanuel CleaverDemocrat · Missouri
Greg CasarDemocrat · Texas
Henry JohnsonDemocrat · Georgia
Summer LeeDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Kweisi MfumeDemocrat · Maryland
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Ilhan OmarDemocrat · Minnesota
Delia RamirezDemocrat · Illinois
Terri SewellDemocrat · Alabama
Lateefah SimonDemocrat · California
Paul TonkoDemocrat · New York
Rashida TlaibDemocrat · Michigan
Shri ThanedarDemocrat · Michigan