# 119-s-5505: Safe and Fair Elections Act of 2026 119-s-5505, Safe and Fair Elections Act of 2026, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA] (R-LA); status introduced; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-10-16). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5505 - As of: 2026-10-16 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Bill: 119-s-5505 - Congress: 119 - Title: Safe and Fair Elections Act of 2026 - Status: introduced - Introduced: 2026-09-24 - Sponsor: Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA] (R-LA) - Cosponsors: 0 - Policy area: Government Operations and Politics - Touches household money: yes - Last recorded action: 2026-10-16 ## Summary **This bill would make a federal photo‑identification requirement for in‑person voting in Federal elections and would tighten several national election rules on absentee ballots, ballot counting, primaries, and congressional redistricting.** - Voters: Would require a valid physical photo ID to get an in‑person Federal ballot. Voters without ID could cast a provisional ballot but would have 3 days to show ID or an affidavit. Mail or absentee ballots would need a copy of a photo ID or the last four digits of the voter’s Social Security number plus an affidavit if the voter cannot obtain a photo ID. Exceptions apply for absent uniformed services and overseas voters. - Election officials and localities: Would create grants to speed ballot counting and pay for equipment and training, authorizing $200 million for fiscal year 2027. The bill would also bar states from prohibiting pre‑election‑day counting and would require absentee ballots to be received by the close of polls in Federal elections starting in 2027, with narrow disaster and overseas exceptions. - Primaries and redistricting: Would require open primaries for Federal offices after 2026. It would impose federal standards for congressional maps, including a maximum population deviation of 0.15% and bans on drawing districts to favor or disfavor a party, incumbent, or candidate. Federal district courts would be able to hear partisan‑intent claims. The bill includes a nonseverability rule that would invalidate the whole law if any part is held invalid. *Would authorize $200 million in grants for FY2027, increasing federal outlays by that amount.* ## Provisions PRIA read - National rules for congressional maps: benefit, high. If enacted, States would have to draw congressional districts that meet strict standards. Districts would be nearly equal in population (within 0.15% of the State's equalized district size), contiguous, compact, and should keep metropolitan areas, cities, towns, and counties whole when practicable.… - Delay metropolitan area boundary updates: benefit, medium. If enacted, the bill would stop the OMB Director from proposing metropolitan or micropolitan statistical area updates at the start of a new decade until the January 1 after that decade's first midterm election. The first update of a decade could not take effect until after newly drawn congressional… - Faster ballot counting and grants: benefit, medium. If enacted, the bill would give $200 million for fiscal year 2027 to help States and localities buy equipment, train staff, and speed counting of Federal election ballots. The grants would prioritize rural places and jurisdictions that have been slow to finish tallies. The bill would also stop Stat… - Entire Act void if part invalid: cost, medium. If enacted, the bill would say that if any provision or its application is held invalid, then all remaining provisions and amendments in the Act would be treated as invalid. This would make the whole Act vulnerable if one part is struck down by a court. - Open primaries tied to federal funds: mixed, high. If enacted, States would have to hold open primaries for Federal office so any registered general-election voter could vote in any party's primary for that office. The rule would apply to elections held after January 1, 2027. The bill would also bar a State from using Federal funds for State or loc… - New photo ID and mail rules: mixed, medium. If enacted, you would need a physical photo ID to get a ballot when voting in person in Federal elections. If you lack ID you could cast a provisional ballot but would have 3 days to show the ID or sign a State affidavit saying you object to being photographed. For absentee or mail ballots you woul… ## Related bills - 119-s-4744: Take Care of America’s Veterans Act - 119-s-2120: Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2025 - 119-s-2121: SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act of 2025 - 119-s-5258: PREFERRED Screening Act - 119-s-4302: Improving IRS Customer Service Act - 119-s-1941: Cure Hepatitis C Act of 2025 ## Sources - [119-s-5505 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/5505) ## Related - [119-s-4744: Take Care of America’s Veterans Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-4744) - [119-s-2120: Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2120) - [119-s-2121: SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2121) - [119-s-5258: PREFERRED Screening Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5258) - [119-s-4302: Improving IRS Customer Service Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-4302) - [119-s-1941: Cure Hepatitis C Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1941) - [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5505 (as of 2026-10-16).