The PROVE Act: Pre-Registration for 16-Year-Olds

Original title: PROVE Act

Last action · November 4, 2025: Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.Sponsors: Donald Beyer and 8 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

Track this bill to get notified when it advances a stage. One tap to stop, anytime.

What This Bill Would Do

The PROVE Act requires all states to allow 16-year-olds to pre-register to vote in federal elections, ensuring they are automatically registered once they turn 18. It also provides $25 million in federal grants to states for programs that encourage youth civic engagement and update secondary school civics curricula.

Why it matters

This bill would change voter registration eligibility by lowering the age at which residents can initiate the process to 16, and it authorizes $25 million in federal funding for states to promote youth participation in elections.

Who It Would Affect

Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

16 and 17-year-old residents

They gain the legal ability to apply for voter registration before reaching the age of majority.

Directly affected

State election offices

They are required to implement new pre-registration processes and may apply for federal grants to support youth engagement programs.

Directly affected

Secondary schools

They may be required to modify their curricula to promote civic engagement as part of state grant plans.

Key Facts

Requires all states to implement a process allowing residents to apply for voter registration at age 16.
Mandates that states ensure individuals who pre-register at 16 are automatically registered to vote in federal elections upon turning 18.
Authorizes $25 million in federal appropriations for grants to states to increase youth involvement in elections.
Allows states the option to permit individuals younger than 16 to use the pre-registration process.

Show all 8 facts

Requires states receiving grants to implement plans including secondary school curriculum updates and civic engagement promotion.
Requires states to use grant funds over a 2-year period and submit a performance report within 6 months of the grant's conclusion.
Sets the effective date for the pre-registration mandate at 90 days after the bill is enacted.
Defines 'State' to include the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this bill allow 16-year-olds to vote in federal elections?

No. It allows 16-year-olds to pre-register, but they will only be eligible to vote in elections held on or after their 18th birthday.

Can states choose to let children younger than 16 pre-register?

Yes. The bill gives states the option to make the process available to individuals younger than 16.

What will the $25 million in grant money be used for?

States will use the funds to promote the process, update secondary school civics curricula, and carry out other activities to encourage youth involvement in the electoral process.

What else do you want to know?

News Coverage

No news coverage found yet. Articles are indexed twice daily.

Follow the record

Votes, people, money & the original source

Where This Stands

Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Procedural history

2 actions

Nov 4, 2025HouseCommittee
Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
Nov 4, 2025HouseIntroduced
Introduced in House

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

View official text →