Stop Harassment and Intimidations in Elections through Legal Defenses (SHIELD) Our Elections Act
Sponsored By: Senator Padilla, Alex [D-CA]
Introduced
Summary
Protecting ballots and voters from intimidation and improper seizure is the bill's core aim. It would create private civil remedies and extend statutes of limitation for certain election crimes, bar most pre‑final-resolution seizures of ballots, and fund state ballot‑materials tracking programs.
Show full summary
- Voters would get standardized tracking for mail‑in and absentee ballots showing request, send, and receipt dates, whether a ballot was counted, and reasons for non‑count, accessible online or by toll‑free number.
- Election officials and courts would face new limits on seizing ballots and related materials before recounts or legal challenges end, and must preserve chain of custody and joint custody arrangements unless a judge finds clear and convincing risk of destruction.
- People harmed by voter intimidation or unlawful use of armed forces would be able to sue in federal court for declaratory or injunctive relief, recover attorney's fees, and covered election offenses would have a nine‑year statute of limitations.
*Would authorize $50.0 million for a federal State Ballot Materials Tracking Program for FY2027, increasing federal spending.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Longer time to prosecute election crimes
If enacted, prosecutors would have 9 years to bring charges for certain election offenses. The change would apply to offenses under 18 U.S.C. 592, 593, and 594, plus section 11 of the Voting Rights Act and section 12 of the National Voter Registration Act. The longer window would give more time for criminal or civil enforcement of alleged election-interference conduct.
Limits on seizing ballots and equipment
If enacted, state and federal law enforcement would be barred from seizing election records, papers, or equipment while any recount, audit, or legal challenge remains unresolved. A judge could allow seizure earlier only if there is clear and convincing evidence the items would be destroyed. If seized, items must be held in joint custody, a chain-of-custody recorded, and the election official must be allowed access.
New private right to sue for intimidation
If enacted, you would be able to sue in federal court if you are harmed by alleged election intimidation under 18 U.S.C. 592, 593, or 594. A court could order injunctive or declaratory relief to stop the harm. If you win, a court could award you reasonable attorney fees, litigation expenses, and costs.
Federal grants for ballot tracking
If enacted, the Election Assistance Commission would get $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2027 to help states build absentee and mail ballot tracking programs. Qualifying systems would have to confirm receipt to voters and show dates for requests, applications, when ballots were sent and out for delivery, and whether a ballot was counted and why if not. States would have to give certain data to parties and voter registration groups at cost and provide online or toll-free access. Ballot counting reasons must be available within 1 day of the decision.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Padilla, Alex [D-CA]
CA • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
CT • D
Sponsored 7/23/2026
Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME]
ME • I
Sponsored 7/23/2026
Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
MN • D
Sponsored 7/23/2026
Sen. Hickenlooper, John W. [D-CO]
CO • D
Sponsored 7/23/2026
Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]
HI • D
Sponsored 7/23/2026
Sen. Slotkin, Elissa [D-MI]
MI • D
Sponsored 7/23/2026
Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI]
WI • D
Sponsored 7/23/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov