Fair and Open Voting Standards Act of 2004

H.R. 4758, the Fair and Open Voting Standards Act of 2004, proposes new federal requirements for how states manage voter registration lists regarding individuals with criminal convictions. Under this bill, a state would be prohibited from removing a person from the federal voter rolls due to a conviction unless the state certifies that it has specific procedures in place for providing advance notice and a clear appeals process. The practical impact for citizens is the creation of a uniform federal safeguard intended to prevent eligible voters from being mistakenly removed from registration lists without the opportunity to contest the action.