Protecting Election Administration from Interference Act of 2025

This bill aims to better protect election records and equipment. It clarifies that election offices must keep not only paper records, but also electronic records and election equipment for 22 months after each federal election, while still allowing equipment to be reused if all election data is saved. It also directs the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to issue guidance within one year on how to store, secure, and transfer these materials, with protocols that let the Department of Justice and a representative of each political party observe these steps .

The bill gives the Department of Justice new tools to enforce these rules. DOJ can require access to electronic records and equipment for inspection and generally must keep that information confidential. DOJ and candidates for federal office can go to federal court to make sure election offices follow the law, and the courts must move quickly. It also strengthens criminal penalties: it covers reckless disregard that leads to the theft, destruction, or alteration of records or equipment, and adds penalties for intimidating people who process ballots or help count or certify results .

• Who is affected: Local and state election offices; workers who process, scan, count, or certify votes; the Department of Justice; candidates for federal office; party observers .
• What changes: Required retention now clearly includes electronic records and equipment; equipment can be reused if data is preserved; DOJ can inspect and keep information confidential; quicker court action to enforce rules; stronger penalties for tampering and intimidation .
• When: The retention period is 22 months after each federal election; federal guidance must be issued within one year of the bill becoming law .