State and Local Election Security Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Senator Padilla, Alex [D-CA]
Introduced
Summary
Federal grants for state and local election security. This bill would add a new Title X to the Help America Vote Act to create an annual Election Security Grant Program that pays states based on a minimum share plus their voting‑age population to modernize and protect election infrastructure.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Federal grants for state election security
If enacted, this bill would create an Election Security Grant Program run by the Election Assistance Commission. It would authorize $5 billion for fiscal year 2026 and $2.5 billion for each of fiscal years 2027 and 2028. Each State's annual payment would be a minimum share (0.5% for the 50 States and DC; 0.1% for other jurisdictions) plus a share based on voting-age population from the most recent census. Funds would be limited to improving administration of Federal elections, generally could not pay judgments or litigation costs, and States would generally need to give about 50% of payments to the local officials who run Federal elections. States would have to report to the Commission within 50 days after each Federal election on how funds were used, and unused funds must be returned to the Treasury after five years unless extended by the Commission.
Add territories to HAVA coverage
If enacted, the bill would add the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands to the territories listed in the Help America Vote Act. It would also include any other territory that is authorized to elect a Delegate or Resident Commissioner to Congress, as determined and communicated by the relevant House committees.
Grants to support election cybersecurity sharing
If enacted, the bill would authorize $50 million for each of fiscal years 2026, 2027, and 2028 for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. CISA would use that money to make grants to the Center for Internet Security to operate and support the Elections Infrastructure Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EI-ISAC). Those grants would fund cyber threat information sharing and cybersecurity assistance for State and local election officials.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Padilla, Alex [D-CA]
CA • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA]
CA • D
Sponsored 6/22/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov