Sponsor
Seth Moulton
Representative · D-MA
Representative · D-MA
The bill would make it easier for people harmed by certain federal election actors to sue under §1983 and thus strengthen enforcement of election rights, but it also broadens liability and invites legal and constitutional disputes that could increase litigation costs and strain courts.
Individuals harmed by actions of persons acting under federal election authority would gain a clearer federal civil remedy under 42 U.S.C. §1983, strengthening enforcement of election-related legal rights.
State and local election officials and their governments could face expanded liability exposure, producing more litigation and higher compliance costs that may be borne by taxpayers.
Broadening §1983 to cover certain federal election actors may raise separation-of-powers and immunity questions, prompting additional constitutional litigation and increasing burdens on courts.
Ambiguities in the wording could trigger lawsuits to define the statute's scope, creating legal uncertainty and leading to judge-made interpretations rather than clear legislative guidance.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Inserts language into 42 U.S.C. § 1983 to explicitly reference civil actions against persons acting under federal election authority, altering the statute's text.
Official title: To allow Americans to sue federal officials for constitutional violations of voting rights and election law.
Introduced May 15, 2026 by Seth Moulton · Last progress May 15, 2026
Adds language to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 that explicitly extends a civil-action caption or clause to cover persons acting under federal election authority, changing the statute's text and potentially expanding who can be sued under the federal civil‑rights cause of action. The bill otherwise only sets a short title and makes this single statutory insertion.