Protecting American Voters’ Rights Act
Sponsored By: Representative Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6]
Introduced
Summary
Expands private lawsuits against federal election officials.
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This bill would add federal election and election enforcement authorities into 42 U.S.C. 1983's scope, creating a private civil pathway for individuals to sue federal actors for constitutional or federal voting-law violations under the existing 1983 framework.
- Voters and private plaintiffs would gain a federal route to seek damages or injunctive relief when they allege their voting rights were violated by federal election administrators.
- Federal election agencies and enforcement officials would face new exposure to civil suits under 42 U.S.C. 1983, subject to the statute's existing remedies and defenses.
- Federal courts would likely see more cases addressing alleged rights deprivations in federal election administration, because 1983 remedies would cover actions taken under federal election authority.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Suing Federal Election Officials Allowed
This bill would let private people sue federal election officials or election-enforcement agents. It would add "Federal election or election enforcement authority" into 42 U.S.C. 1983's "color of law" rule. If enacted, voters could bring claims for constitutional or federal voting-rights violations against federal actors. Existing defenses and immunities under 42 U.S.C. 1983 would still apply. The change would take effect upon enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6]
MA • D
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov