Safe and Fair Elections Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Senator Cassidy, Bill [R-LA]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would make a federal photo‑identification requirement for in‑person voting in Federal elections and would tighten several national election rules on absentee ballots, ballot counting, primaries, and congressional redistricting.
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- Voters: Would require a valid physical photo ID to get an in‑person Federal ballot. Voters without ID could cast a provisional ballot but would have 3 days to show ID or an affidavit. Mail or absentee ballots would need a copy of a photo ID or the last four digits of the voter’s Social Security number plus an affidavit if the voter cannot obtain a photo ID. Exceptions apply for absent uniformed services and overseas voters.
- Election officials and localities: Would create grants to speed ballot counting and pay for equipment and training, authorizing $200 million for fiscal year 2027. The bill would also bar states from prohibiting pre‑election‑day counting and would require absentee ballots to be received by the close of polls in Federal elections starting in 2027, with narrow disaster and overseas exceptions.
- Primaries and redistricting: Would require open primaries for Federal offices after 2026. It would impose federal standards for congressional maps, including a maximum population deviation of 0.15% and bans on drawing districts to favor or disfavor a party, incumbent, or candidate. Federal district courts would be able to hear partisan‑intent claims. The bill includes a nonseverability rule that would invalidate the whole law if any part is held invalid.
*Would authorize $200 million in grants for FY2027, increasing federal outlays by that amount.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
National rules for congressional maps
If enacted, States would have to draw congressional districts that meet strict standards. Districts would be nearly equal in population (within 0.15% of the State's equalized district size), contiguous, compact, and should keep metropolitan areas, cities, towns, and counties whole when practicable. The bill would prohibit drawing districts to favor or disfavor a political party, incumbent, or candidate and bar use of partisan data. Federal district courts could hear claims that a map violates the ban on partisan favoritism.
Open primaries tied to federal funds
If enacted, States would have to hold open primaries for Federal office so any registered general-election voter could vote in any party's primary for that office. The rule would apply to elections held after January 1, 2027. The bill would also bar a State from using Federal funds for State or local election administration unless the State certifies to the Election Assistance Commission that it holds open primaries for State and local offices.
Delay metropolitan area boundary updates
If enacted, the bill would stop the OMB Director from proposing metropolitan or micropolitan statistical area updates at the start of a new decade until the January 1 after that decade's first midterm election. The first update of a decade could not take effect until after newly drawn congressional maps take effect for that decade. This aims to avoid changing area definitions during redistricting.
Faster ballot counting and grants
If enacted, the bill would give $200 million for fiscal year 2027 to help States and localities buy equipment, train staff, and speed counting of Federal election ballots. The grants would prioritize rural places and jurisdictions that have been slow to finish tallies. The bill would also stop States from banning the counting of Federal election votes before election day for elections held after January 1, 2027. The money would be from Treasury and remain available until spent.
Entire Act void if part invalid
If enacted, the bill would say that if any provision or its application is held invalid, then all remaining provisions and amendments in the Act would be treated as invalid. This would make the whole Act vulnerable if one part is struck down by a court.
New photo ID and mail rules
If enacted, you would need a physical photo ID to get a ballot when voting in person in Federal elections. If you lack ID you could cast a provisional ballot but would have 3 days to show the ID or sign a State affidavit saying you object to being photographed. For absentee or mail ballots you would need to send a copy of a valid photo ID or the last four digits of your Social Security number plus a State affidavit saying you could not get an ID after reasonable efforts. The bill would list acceptable IDs and would require States to, where practicable, let people copy IDs for free at government buildings. The photo ID rule would take effect one day after enactment and apply to Federal elections held on or after that date.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Cassidy, Bill [R-LA]
LA • R
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov