Election Results Accountability Act
Sponsored By: Representative Obernolte
Introduced
Summary
Mandatory deadlines for counting ballots and certifying results in federal elections. The bill sets a 72-hour target to count at least 90 percent of ballots and a two-week deadline to finish counting and certify results, and it ties federal election-administration funding to compliance.
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- States: Must count at least 90 percent of ballots and make a public result within 72 hours of polls closing, and must complete counting and officially certify results within two weeks.
- Voters: Would typically see an initial public result within 72 hours and a certified outcome within two weeks, shortening the period of election uncertainty.
- Election officials and state administrators: If the Election Assistance Commission and the Attorney General certify a state missed the deadlines the state may lose future HAVA funds until it submits a corrective plan and both agencies certify implementation. The bill lists exceptions for major disasters, public health emergencies, cyberattacks, technical failures, the first election after new procedures, and recounts when certified by those agencies.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Faster federal election result deadlines
If enacted, the bill would require states to count at least 90% of ballots and publish that count within 72 hours after polls close. It would also require states to finish counting, certify results, and publish them within 14 days after polls close. A state would be excused only if both the Election Assistance Commission and the Attorney General certify a listed reason, such as a major disaster, serious public health emergency, cyberattack, major technical failure, a recount, or the first election after new procedures. These timing rules would apply to elections held after the 90-day period following enactment.
Withholding federal election funds from states
If enacted, the bill would let the Election Assistance Commission and the Attorney General bar a state from getting federal election administration funds if both certify the state missed the new deadlines. A barred state could get funds back only after it submits a plan and both agencies certify the state took steps to comply. The bill would also add the new timing rules to HAVA enforcement and apply these rules to elections held after the 90-day period following enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Obernolte
CA • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Calvert, Ken [R-CA-41]
CA • R
Sponsored 4/7/2025
Kiley (CA)
CA • I
Sponsored 4/7/2025
Rep. Fong, Vince [R-CA-20]
CA • R
Sponsored 4/7/2025
Rep. Valadao, David G. [R-CA-22]
CA • R
Sponsored 4/7/2025
Rep. Issa, Darrell [R-CA-48]
CA • R
Sponsored 4/7/2025
McClintock
CA • R
Sponsored 4/7/2025
Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40]
CA • R
Sponsored 4/9/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov