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HR 2190 101th Congress House Government Operations and Politics Civil actions and liability Driver licenses Election administration Fraud Misconduct in office Sentences (Criminal procedure) State laws Voter registration

National Voter Registration Act of 1989

Introduced: May 2, 1989 See on congress.gov
This bill died when the 101st Congress ended
It never became law before the 101st Congress (1989–1990) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 26 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Feb 8, 1990
Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 443.
Feb 6, 1990
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Feb 6, 1990
The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
Feb 6, 1990
On passage Passed by recorded vote: 289 - 132 (Roll No. 11).
Feb 6, 1990
On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 156 - 265 (Roll no. 10).
Feb 6, 1990
The previous question was ordered without objection.
Feb 6, 1990
DEBATE - The House proceeded with ten minutes of debate on the motion to recommit the bill to the Committee on House Administration with instructions that the bill be reported back with amendments which would allow some provision for formal authentication of mail-in registration (other than notorization); eliminate the provisions of the bill requiring voter registration locations to accept completed applications for transmittal to State election officials; add to the bill's enforcement provisions penalties for the offer of payment for voting, filing false information on an election campaign report, and for using the mail for the purpose of perpetuating such fraud.
Feb 6, 1990
Mr. Gillmor moved to recommit with instructions to House Administration.
Feb 6, 1990
The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
Feb 6, 1990
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
Feb 6, 1990
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 2190.
Feb 6, 1990
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 309, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of debate on the amendments en bloc offered by Mr. Michel's designee, Mr. Roberts of Kansas.
Feb 6, 1990
GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate.
Feb 6, 1990
The Speaker designated the Honorable William J. Hughes to act as Chairman of the Committee.
Feb 6, 1990
House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 309 and Rule XXIII.
Feb 6, 1990
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2190 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. In lieu of the amendments now printed in the bill, it shall be in order to consider an amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of the amendment printed in the report of the Committee on Rules accompanying this resolution as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order. No amendment to said substitute shall be in order except the amendments printed in the Congressional Record on or before February 5, 1990, by and if offered by, Mr. Michel of Illinois or his designee. Said amendments shall be considered en bloc and shall not be subject to a demand for a division of th...
Feb 6, 1990
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 309.
Jan 31, 1990
Rule H. Res. 309 passed House.
Jan 30, 1990
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 309 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2190 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. In lieu of the amendments now printed in the bill, it shall be in order to consider an amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of the amendment printed in the report of the Committee on Rules accompanying this resolution as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order. No amendment to said substitute shall be in order except the amendments printed in the Congressional Record on or before February 5, 1990, by and if offered by, Mr. Michel of Illinois or his designee. Said amendments shall be considered en bloc and shall not be subject to a demand for a division of th...
Sep 18, 1989
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 154.
Sep 18, 1989
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on House Administration. H. Rept. 101-243.
May 3, 1989
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
May 3, 1989
Ordered to be Reported (Amended).
May 2, 1989
For Previous Action See H.R.15.
May 2, 1989
Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
May 2, 1989
Introduced in House
 Votes taken on this bill 2
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
Feb 6, 1990 House · vote #11 On Passage Passed 289132 See who voted →
Feb 6, 1990 House · vote #10 On Motion to Recommit with Instructions Failed 156265 See who voted →
 Amendments to this bill 2

Amendments propose changes to this bill. Members vote on amendments separately before the final bill vote. An agreed amendment becomes part of the bill; a failed amendment does not.

1 agreed to 1 failed

AmendmentSponsorPurposeStatusLatest action
HAMDT 367 Amendment in the nature of a substitute. Agreed to Feb 6, 1990
HAMDT 366 An amendment comprised of several amendments offered en bloc to eliminate the bill's requirement that states … Failed Feb 6, 1990
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Title I: Voter Registration Procedures and Programs in States that Require Registration - National Voter Registration Act of 1989 - Requires each covered State to: (1) include a voter registration application for elections for Federal office as part of any motor vehicle driver's license application; (2) provide for voter registration by mail for elections for Federal office; and (3) designate State-related locations and Federal and private sector locations for voter registration for elections for Federal office.

Requires each covered State to establish uniform and nondiscriminatory programs to assure that official voter registration lists are accurate and current. Sets forth the requirements of such programs.

Sets forth a special procedure to enable an individual to vote when his registration to vote cannot be verified.

Requires each covered State to: (1) assure that any eligible applicant is registered to vote in the election if not later than 30 days before the election the application is submitted to the State motor vehicle authority, postmarked, or accepted at the designated location; (2) notify each individual who submits a voter registration application of the approval or other disposition of the application; (3) not remove the name of an individual who is otherwise eligible to vote from the official registration list for failure to vote or any other reason except at the request of the voter, death, criminal conviction, mental incapacity, or change in residence; and (4) inform those who register pursuant to this Act of each eligibility requirement for voting and penalties provided by law for submission of a false voter registration application.

Requires the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to report on the impact of this Act on the administration of elections for Federal office.

States that the chief State election official shall be responsible for coordination of State functions under this Act.

Provides a private right of action for an individual aggrieved by a violation of this Act. Provides for the awarding of attorney fees to the prevailing party, other than the United States.

States that challenges to the eligibility of an individual to vote in an election for Federal office may be made on the day of the election only as provided by State law.

Authorizes appropriations to the FEC necessary to carry out this Act.

Title II: Findings, Purposes, Criminal Penalty, and Effective Date - Imposes criminal penalties upon any person who: (1) intimidates, threatens, or coerces any person for registering or voting or exercising any right under this Act; or (2) deprives or defrauds the inhabitants of a State of a fair and impartially conducted election process.

What's happening now February 8, 1990

Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 443.

 Related & companion bills 3
 Bill text 4 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 2190: National Voter Registration Act of 1989. 101st Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HR-2190/
MLA
"H.R. 2190: National Voter Registration Act of 1989." 101st Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HR-2190/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 2190, 101st Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HR-2190/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 2190: National Voter Registration Act of 1989](https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HR-2190/)
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