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H.R. 7265: Vote by Mail Tracking Act

This bill, known as the "Vote by Mail Tracking Act", aims to modify how mail-in ballots are managed through the United States Postal Service (USPS). The key aspects of the bill are as follows:

New Requirements for Mail-in Ballots

  • The bill mandates that all mail-in ballot envelopes must include a Postal Service barcode. This barcode will facilitate tracking of each individual ballot during its transit.
  • The ballot envelopes must meet specific design and functionality standards, which will be established by the Postal Service through new regulations. These standards include considerations for:
    • Design suitability for efficient handling by postal machines.
    • Using an official designation, referred to as the Official Election Mail Logo, or any future equivalent label developed by the Postal Service.
  • These requirements are aimed at ensuring that mail-in ballots can be effectively tracked and are less likely to be lost or delayed.

Exemptions

  • The bill specifies that the new tracking and design requirements do not apply to Federal write-in absentee ballots, which cater to voters who are overseas or in military service.

Implementation Timeline

  • The provisions of this bill would take effect for any federal election held in 2026 and in subsequent years.
  • Furthermore, the Postmaster General is required to provide information and guidance to relevant government entities by June 1 each year to assist them in complying with the new ballot envelope requirements.

Clerical Updates

  • The bill includes a clerical amendment to the United States Code, creating a new chapter regarding "Election Mail" to structure the regulations introduced by the bill.

Relevant Companies

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This is an AI-generated summary of the bill text. There may be mistakes.

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Sponsors

34 bill sponsors

Actions

4 actions

Date Action
Feb. 04, 2026 Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Feb. 04, 2026 Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 43 - 1.
Jan. 27, 2026 Introduced in House
Jan. 27, 2026 Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Corporate Lobbying

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