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HR4913119th Congress

CHALLENGES Act

Sponsored By: Representative Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5]

Introduced

Summary

Protecting registered voters from bad-faith challenges is the central aim of this bill. It would sharply restrict who can submit formal challenges to a person’s federal voter registration and add new civil and criminal penalties for false or negligent challenges.

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  • Registered voters would get new guardrails. Private parties could not file formal challenges unless they show clear and convincing evidence from a targeted inquiry, sign an oath under penalty of perjury that they have personal knowledge, and, if an individual, are registered in the same registrar’s jurisdiction. Mass computerized data matching could not be the basis for the evidence.
  • State and local officials would have to update online challenge portals. Portals must display the new prohibitions and include the challenger’s name on submitted materials.
  • Enforcement would expand for harmed people and for bad actors. People wrongfully challenged could sue without first notifying the chief election official and recover compensatory damages plus punitive damages up to $1,000 per violation. Those who knowingly or negligently submit false challenges face criminal penalties including possible jail and fines, and organizations can be fined $10,000 per violation.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Tougher rules and penalties for voter challenges

If enacted, non‑officials could file a challenge only with clear, convincing proof from a specific check—not mass data matches. They would also need a sworn statement of personal knowledge and, if an individual, be registered in the same local jurisdiction. Knowingly or negligently false challenges could bring fines and up to 6 months in jail; organizations could be fined $10,000 per violation. Any online portal would have to post these rules and reject filings without the challenger’s name. These rules would apply to challenges made after enactment.

Right to sue over bad voter challenges

If enacted, people harmed by an improper voter challenge could sue without first notifying the state’s chief election official. They could ask the court to stop the violation, get back their actual costs, and seek punitive damages up to $1,000 per violation. These remedies would apply to challenges made after the bill becomes law.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5]

GA • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3]

    AZ • D

    Sponsored 8/5/2025

  • Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11]

    OH • D

    Sponsored 8/5/2025

  • Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7]

    IN • D

    Sponsored 8/5/2025

  • Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20]

    FL • D

    Sponsored 8/5/2025

  • Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 8/5/2025

  • Rep. Crockett, Jasmine [D-TX-30]

    TX • D

    Sponsored 8/5/2025

  • Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3]

    PA • D

    Sponsored 8/5/2025

  • Rep. Figures, Shomari [D-AL-2]

    AL • D

    Sponsored 8/5/2025

  • Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 8/5/2025

  • Rep. Green, Al [D-TX-9]

    TX • D

    Sponsored 8/5/2025

  • Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4]

    GA • D

    Sponsored 8/5/2025

  • Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 8/5/2025

  • Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 8/5/2025

  • Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12]

    PA • D

    Sponsored 8/5/2025

  • Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 8/5/2025

  • Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4]

    VA • D

    Sponsored 8/5/2025

  • Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 8/5/2025

  • Rep. Mfume, Kweisi [D-MD-7]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 8/5/2025

  • Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 8/5/2025

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

    DC • D

    Sponsored 8/5/2025

  • Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 8/5/2025

  • Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 8/5/2025

  • Rep. Scott, Robert C. "Bobby" [D-VA-3]

    VA • D

    Sponsored 8/5/2025

  • Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7]

    AL • D

    Sponsored 8/5/2025

  • Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 8/5/2025

  • Rep. Strickland, Marilyn [D-WA-10]

    WA • D

    Sponsored 8/5/2025

  • Rep. Sykes, Emilia Strong [D-OH-13]

    OH • D

    Sponsored 8/5/2025

  • Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 8/5/2025

  • Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2]

    MS • D

    Sponsored 8/5/2025

  • Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 8/5/2025

  • Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 8/5/2025

  • Rep. Fields, Cleo [D-LA-6]

    LA • D

    Sponsored 8/5/2025

  • Rep. Latimer, George [D-NY-16]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 9/3/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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