Sponsors
Introduced February 20, 2026 by Seth Moulton · Last progress February 20, 2026
The bill strengthens voter protections and local control by barring federal personnel at polling places without new congressional authorization through 2026, but it increases the risk of delayed or constrained federal assistance and potential security gaps during emergencies while shifting responsibilities to state and local authorities.
Voters: Reduces the likelihood of federal law enforcement or military presence at polling places through Dec 31, 2026, lowering the risk of voter intimidation and protecting free access to voting.
Local election officials: Preserves local control over election administration by requiring Congress to enact specific statutory authorization before federal personnel can be placed at election sites.
Taxpayers: Prevents unplanned federal deployments and associated costs at election sites absent express congressional approval through Dec 31, 2026.
Voters and local governments: Limits the ability for federal law enforcement or military to assist at election sites during emergencies (e.g., violence or credible threats), potentially delaying rapid protective responses.
Local governments and voters: Removing routine or precautionary federal presence could reduce deterrence against organized interference at high‑threat locations and shift the burden of security onto state and local authorities.
Federal agencies, law enforcement, and taxpayers: Constrains agency flexibility and forces Congress to enact statutory authorization for deployments, which could politicize or delay emergency election-security responses and complicate coordination and costs.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Prohibits federal funds being used to place federal law enforcement, intelligence, or military personnel at domestic election locations through Dec 31, 2026 unless Congress authorizes it.
Prohibits the use of federal funds to place federal law enforcement, intelligence, or military personnel at domestic polling places, election offices, vote counting/certification sites, or other election locations from enactment through December 31, 2026, unless Congress later enacts a specific statute authorizing such a presence. The bill adopts the Federal Election Campaign Act definition of “election” for its terms and clarifies it does not affect an individual’s right to vote if they are otherwise qualified under state law.