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HR2803119th Congress

Protecting Election Administration from Interference Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Representative Veasey, Marc A. [D-TX-33]

Introduced

Summary

Protecting election records and equipment: this bill would expand legal protections to explicitly include electronic records and voting equipment, strengthen preservation and reuse rules, and increase penalties for interference with election administration.

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  • Election officials and local election administrators would have clearer retention duties. The bill would require preserved equipment and electronic records to be kept and would allow reuse of preserved equipment within a 22-month window if all electronic files from the covered Federal election are retained.
  • Federal agencies would get new guidance duties. The Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency would have to issue compliance and preservation guidance within 1 year after enactment after consulting the Election Assistance Commission and the Attorney General.
  • Candidates, the Department of Justice, and designated AG representatives would gain faster judicial remedies. The bill would create a new right of action to compel preservation and require courts to expedite those cases and appeals.
  • Enforcement would broaden and toughen penalties. Acts done with reckless disregard that steal, destroy, conceal, mutilate, or alter preserved records or equipment would be explicitly covered.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Fast-track lawsuits to protect records

This bill would let the Attorney General or a candidate sue to force preservation. They could file where the materials are located or in Washington, DC. Courts would have to fast-track these cases and any appeals.

National guidance on preserving election records

This bill would require CISA to issue national guidance within one year. CISA would consult the election commission and the Attorney General. The guidance would set minimum standards and allow observation of preservation and transfers.

Protect ballot counting from intimidation

This bill would expand criminal protections for ballot processing and certification work. Interference or intimidation aimed at processing, scanning, tabulating, canvassing, or certifying results would be covered. This would apply in covered federal elections under the voter registration law.

Stronger rules for election records and equipment

This bill would extend preservation rules to electronic records and election equipment. Inspections, nondisclosure, and compelled production would apply to them. It would add penalties for reckless disregard that leads to loss or damage. Handling would need direct supervision by an election officer, and the paper ballot would be the official record. Officials could reuse equipment within 22 months if they keep all prior electronic records.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Veasey, Marc A. [D-TX-33]

TX • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16]

    TX • D

    Sponsored 4/9/2025

  • Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]

    DC • D

    Sponsored 4/9/2025

  • Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 4/9/2025

  • Rep. Green, Al [D-TX-9]

    TX • D

    Sponsored 4/9/2025

  • Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17]

    PA • D

    Sponsored 4/9/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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