Fraudulent Artificial Intelligence Regulations (FAIR) Elections Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Senator Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would make it a federal offense to knowingly spread false AI-generated media that misleads voters or targets election officials and would tighten how voter rolls can be challenged. It pairs civil enforcement by the Attorney General with new limits on removal of registered voters and studies of federal database use.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Stronger limits on voter removals
If enacted, the bill would restrict when a State can remove someone from a federal voter list. States could remove a registrant only when the ineligibility is based on government records the Attorney General approves. Approved records must let officials match people (for example, name plus full Social Security number, name plus state driver’s license number, or name plus last 4 of SSN and date of birth), be updated at least monthly, and must not be obtained in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1030. The bill would also bar the federal government from comparing its records with state or local records to decide if a person can vote in federal elections.
Ban on false AI election media
If enacted, the bill would ban knowingly distributing AI-made text, images, audio, or video that is materially false about a federal election or that falsely shows an election official. The ban would apply when the false content is intended to stop or deter voting or to intimidate election officials. The Attorney General could sue in federal court to get orders stopping the content. Broadcasters and regularly published newspapers that clearly say the content is false would be exempt.
Severability keeps other parts intact
If enacted, the bill would say that if any part is held invalid, the rest of the Act would remain in effect. Courts would be directed to leave other provisions and their application alone when one part is struck down.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
OR • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]
CA • D
Sponsored 6/11/2026
Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]
HI • D
Sponsored 6/11/2026
Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]
RI • D
Sponsored 6/11/2026
Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT]
VT • D
Sponsored 6/11/2026
Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]
VT • I
Sponsored 6/16/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov