Sponsors (40)
Official title: To amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to ensure that voters in elections for Federal office do not wait in long lines in order to vote, and for other purposes.
Introduced August 5, 2025 by Nikema Williams · Last progress August 5, 2025
The bill aims to reduce voter wait times and strengthen federal oversight, funding, and impartiality in federal elections—improving access and confidence—while increasing federal involvement, compliance requirements, potential litigation, and costs for state and local governments (and taxpayers).
Voters — including low-income people, racial and ethnic minorities, and people with disabilities — would be more likely to experience shorter waits and improved access to vote because the bill sets a goal/standard (under 30 minutes) and creates programs to identify and remedy long lines.
State and local election jurisdictions would receive federal funding and dedicated federal resources (including $5M/year for the Commission and targeted payments) to upgrade equipment, hire staff, and implement remedial plans to reduce wait times and improve election administration.
Voters would have improved ballot security and continuity when equipment fails because jurisdictions must provide emergency paper ballots so affected voters can cast votes that will be counted.
State and local governments (and ultimately taxpayers) would face substantial new costs to meet wait‑time standards and implement remedial plans — hiring staff, buying equipment, opening polling places, training, and compliance expenses.
Expanding federal oversight and attaching new requirements to elections increases federal involvement in state-run elections and is likely to prompt federalism disputes, litigation, and political challenges that could delay or complicate reforms.
Jurisdictions found in violation of wait‑time standards face increased enforcement risk, potential civil penalties, and higher damages for intentional violations, raising the likelihood of costly litigation for local election officials.
Based on analysis of 6 sections of legislative text.
Requires state plans and federal review to limit polling-place waits (30-minute target, 60-minute enforcement trigger), authorizes Commission funding, and bans partisan activity by chief state election officials in federal races.
Requires states to prepare and publish plans to prevent long lines at polling places for federal elections, directs a new Federal Voting Commission review of wait times after each federal election, and authorizes enforcement and remedial plans led by the Attorney General when jurisdictions have excessive waits. Also adds new organizational subtitles in HAVA, bans active partisan campaign activity by chief state election officials for federal races (with a recusal exception), and authorizes modest funding for the Federal Voting Commission to carry out these duties. Sets a 30-minute target for maximum wait times at polling places, creates reporting and review triggers for waits over 60 minutes, requires states to hold a 30-day public comment period on preliminary plans, and establishes timelines and standards for federal review and remedial action; one criminal/ethics-style restriction on chief state election officials takes effect for federal elections after January 1, 2027.