POLL Act
Sponsored By: Representative Williams (GA)
Introduced
Summary
Cap long voter wait times and provide federal funding and enforcement to prevent long lines in federal elections. The bill would set a 30‑minute waiting-time standard and require public state plans before each federal election.
Show full summary
- Voters: Emergency paper ballots would be available when equipment or delays occur. Those ballots must include all candidate names, match languages used by other ballots, and would be counted like regular ballots.
- States and local sites: States would have to publish plans 60 days before each federal election and meet minimum resources at every voting site, guided by standards the Attorney General and the Election Assistance Commission would issue within 6 months.
- Election officials: The Chief State Election Administration Official would be barred from campaigning in federal races, with narrow recusal rules if an immediate family member is a candidate.
- Enforcement and remedies: Individuals could sue in federal court for violations, with civil penalties set at a base $50 plus $50 per additional hour for wait breaches and higher penalties of $650 plus $150 per hour for intentional suppression.
*Would authorize $500 million per year in new federal payments to states for wait-time prevention, increasing federal outlays.*
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
30-minute limit on voting lines
This bill would cap waits at 30 minutes to vote in federal elections. Each State would need to publish a plan 60 days before each federal election to meet this goal. A draft plan would be public 30 days earlier for comments. States would also need a yearly plan to receive federal payments. These rules would apply to elections held after 180 days from enactment.
Federal grants to cut wait times
The bill would provide $500 million each year to help States cut voting wait times. Each eligible State would get a minimum share and a share based on its voting‑age population. States must file an annual plan and use the funds for wait‑time and resource rules. Payments would be made no later than 30 days after this part is enacted and would remain available until spent.
Federal reviews and fixes for long lines
After each federal election, the Election Assistance Commission would review voter wait times and publish results. If many people waited over 60 minutes or standards were violated, the Attorney General would require a remedial plan. That duty would end after two straight regular general elections with waits under 60 minutes. The Attorney General would set review and remedial standards within 180 days of enactment. The bill authorizes $5 million each year from 2025 to 2034 for these reviews.
Minimum voting machines and staff required
The Attorney General would set minimum numbers of voting machines, poll workers, and other resources within six months. States would have to meet these minimums at each voting site on election day and during early voting. The rules must consider population, turnout, disability and language needs, and other factors. Each electronic poll book would need a paper backup. States would have to comply starting January 1, 2027.
Emergency paper ballots for delays
If equipment fails or delays are unreasonable, people waiting would be told they can use an emergency paper ballot. Upon request, they would get the ballot and supplies to mark it. Ballots must list all federal candidates at that site and be in the same languages. They would be counted like regular ballots unless a provisional ballot would have been required. This would apply to elections after 180 days from enactment.
Right to sue for long waits
If you waited more than 30 minutes to vote in a federal election, you could sue in federal court. The basic penalty would be $50 plus $50 for each extra hour you waited. If the court finds intentional suppression or reckless disregard, the base would be $650 plus $150 per extra hour. Courts could also award your reasonable attorney fees and costs. This would apply to elections after 180 days from enactment.
Ban campaigning by top election official
The top State election official would be barred from active political campaigning in federal elections they supervise. This includes serving on a candidate’s committee or soliciting donations. The ban would not apply if the official fully recuses and the replacement does not report to them. It would take effect for elections held after January 1, 2027.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Williams (GA)
GA • D
Cosponsors
Crockett
TX • D
Sponsored 8/5/2025
Ansari
AZ • D
Sponsored 8/5/2025
Brown
OH • D
Sponsored 8/5/2025
Carson
IN • D
Sponsored 8/5/2025
Clarke (NY)
NY • D
Sponsored 8/5/2025
Cherfilus-McCormick
FL • D
Sponsored 8/5/2025
DelBene
WA • D
Sponsored 8/5/2025
Deluzio
PA • D
Sponsored 8/5/2025
Doggett
TX • D
Sponsored 8/5/2025
Evans (PA)
PA • D
Sponsored 8/5/2025
Fields
LA • D
Sponsored 8/5/2025
Figures
AL • D
Sponsored 8/5/2025
Garcia (IL)
IL • D
Sponsored 8/5/2025
Green, Al (TX)
TX • D
Sponsored 8/5/2025
Jackson (IL)
IL • D
Sponsored 8/5/2025
Johnson (GA)
GA • D
Sponsored 8/5/2025
Kamlager-Dove
CA • D
Sponsored 8/5/2025
Krishnamoorthi
IL • D
Sponsored 8/5/2025
Lee (PA)
PA • D
Sponsored 8/5/2025
Lynch
MA • D
Sponsored 8/5/2025
McClellan
VA • D
Sponsored 8/5/2025
McIver
NJ • D
Sponsored 8/5/2025
Meeks
NY • D
Sponsored 8/5/2025
Mfume
MD • D
Sponsored 8/5/2025
Mullin
CA • D
Sponsored 8/5/2025
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Sponsored 8/5/2025
Ramirez
IL • D
Sponsored 8/5/2025
Salinas
OR • D
Sponsored 8/5/2025
Schakowsky
IL • D
Sponsored 8/5/2025
Scott (VA)
VA • D
Sponsored 8/5/2025
Sewell
AL • D
Sponsored 8/5/2025
Simon
CA • D
Sponsored 8/5/2025
Strickland
WA • D
Sponsored 8/5/2025
Sykes
OH • D
Sponsored 8/5/2025
Thanedar
MI • D
Sponsored 8/5/2025
Thompson (MS)
MS • D
Sponsored 8/5/2025
Tlaib
MI • D
Sponsored 8/5/2025
Tonko
NY • D
Sponsored 8/5/2025
Bell
MO • D
Sponsored 10/3/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.govTake It Personal
Get Your Personalized Policy View
Start a Free Government Policy Watch to see how policy affects your household, then upgrade to PRIA Full Coverage for year-round monitoring.
Already have an account? Sign in