Sponsors (9)
The bill speeds restoration of House representation and creates federal and private enforcement tools to ensure timely special elections, but it shifts costs and administrative burdens to states and risks more litigation and procedural complexity for multi-step nomination systems.
State voters will get faster representation because states must hold special elections to fill House vacancies within 180 days, reducing prolonged vacancies in the House.
State governments, taxpayers, and affected parties gain a stronger enforcement framework because the bill authorizes Department of Justice enforcement and allows aggrieved parties (including House leaders) to sue to compel timely special elections, improving uniformity and accountability across states.
State governments and taxpayers may face higher administrative and logistical costs to hold special elections on an accelerated timetable, increasing state or local expenses.
State chief executives, state and local governments may face increased legal disputes and federal–state tension because federal enforcement actions and private lawsuits can be brought to compel elections, raising litigation costs and political conflict.
State governments and election officials that use multi-step nomination processes will face procedural complications because excluding nominating-only elections could require additional ballots or altered procedures to comply.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Requires special elections for House vacancies within 180 days (unless a regular election is during that period) and authorizes federal and private lawsuits to enforce the deadline.
Official title: To require States to hold special elections to fill vacancies in the House of Representatives not later than 180 days after a vacancy occurs in the House of Representatives, and for other purposes.
Introduced April 29, 2026 by Christian D. Menefee · Last progress April 29, 2026
Requires states to hold special elections to fill U.S. House vacancies within 180 days of the vacancy unless a regular election for that seat will occur within that 180-day window. Replaces the previous 49-day default and Speaker-triggered delay rule with the 180-day standard and adds federal enforcement by allowing the Attorney General and private parties (including House leaders) to seek court orders enforcing the deadline. Defines “special election” as an election that actually fills the vacancy (excluding nominating-only processes) and creates a private right of action for any aggrieved person to seek declaratory or injunctive relief to enforce the timing requirement.