POLL Act

This proposal aims to cut long lines on Election Day for federal races. It would set a clear limit: no one should have to wait more than 30 minutes to vote. States would have to publish a plan before each federal election showing how they will keep lines short and fair for all voters, with a chance for the public to comment on the plan before it’s final . After each election, a federal commission would review wait times and publish a report. If many voters had to wait more than 60 minutes, the state would follow a remedial plan set by the Attorney General to better allocate staff and equipment and reduce delays, with ongoing coordination among federal and state officials .

If machines break or other problems cause long delays, people waiting must be told they can request an emergency paper ballot. Those ballots must list all federal races offered at that site, be available in the same languages as other ballots, and be counted like a regular ballot (unless the voter would otherwise need to vote provisionally).

• Who is affected: Voters in federal elections (including voters with disabilities), and state and local election offices that run polling places.
• What changes:
  • 30-minute maximum wait time to vote in federal elections.
  • States must post and submit a public, comment-ready plan 60 days before each federal election; a draft must be available for public comment 30 days before submission, and comments must be considered.
  • Post-election wait-time reviews and public reports; remedial plans if waits exceed 60 minutes for many voters, ending after two straight general elections with shorter waits .
  • Emergency paper ballots available immediately if equipment fails or other issues cause unreasonable delays, with clear rules for counting.
• When:
  • Public draft plan at least 30 days before submission; final plan due 60 days before each federal election.
  • Attorney General sets review and remedial-plan standards within 180 days of enactment.
  • Funding: $5 million per year for 2025–2034 for the commission to carry this out.

Overall, this would mean shorter lines, more planning and transparency before Election Day, and a paper-ballot backup when things go wrong.