Congress moves to block voter purges based on not voting
S. 2994 — Voter Purge Protection Act · Filed by Alex Padilla (D-CA) · 26 cosponsors · Introduced Oct 9, 2025 · Referred to committee
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What it does
This bill prohibits states from removing voters from registration rolls based solely on their failure to vote. It requires states to use objective evidence (like death records or official address changes) to remove voters, mandates 48-hour notice before removal with appeal rights, and allows voters who move within a state to update their address and vote on election day. The bill protects voting access by preventing purges that use non-voting as a proxy for ineligibility.
Why we flagged it
The bill's core mechanism is a direct restriction on state voter-removal practices, requiring objective evidence and notice procedures. It is a voting-rights protection statute, not a regulatory or appropriations measure.
What the text implies
- States may face increased administrative burden and cost to maintain objective evidence standards and send 48-hour removal notices, potentially requiring new election-administration systems.
- The bill's definition of 'objective and reliable evidence' for residence change may create litigation over what qualifies, potentially leading to federal court involvement in state voter-roll management.
The full analysis lists 3 implications of this text.
Who it affects
Ordinary voters gain concrete protections: they cannot be purged for inactivity, receive notice before removal with appeal rights, and can vote on election day after moving within a state. These provisions reduce the risk of wrongful disenfranchisement and strengthen voting access.