Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB7960

Introduced
4/11/24  

Caption

Preventing Ballot Drop Box and Mail Fraud Act

Impact

The proposed legislation intends to strengthen the integrity of the electoral process at the federal level by discouraging fraudulent activities related to mail-in voting and ballot drop boxes. This act mandates that the Attorney General establish a reporting system for incidents involving fraudulent ballots, allowing citizens to report such occurrences through a toll-free hotline and an online portal. The creation of this reporting mechanism is anticipated to facilitate timely and effective responses to election misconduct, thereby enhancing public confidence in the electoral process.

Summary

House Bill 7960, titled the ‘Preventing Ballot Drop Box and Mail Fraud Act,’ aims to amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to enhance penalties for the transmission of fraudulent ballots in federal elections. The bill seeks to address concerns related to mail-in voting and the use of ballot drop boxes, specifying that individuals who knowingly and willfully transmit a fraudulent ballot through these means will face significant fines and potential imprisonment. Specifically, violators could face a fine in accordance with Title 18 of the United States Code and imprisonment for not more than 20 years, with an additional year for each fraudulent ballot transmitted.

Contention

Debate surrounding HB 7960 may involve discussions about voter suppression vs. election security. Supporters of the bill argue that it is essential for maintaining the integrity of federal elections, while opponents might view it as an overreach that could disproportionately affect legal voters, particularly marginalized communities. Additionally, the bill’s requirement for state election officials to coordinate information related to individuals recused from jury service due to noncitizenship could raise issues regarding privacy and the proper handling of personal data in the voter registration process.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

US SB4089

Fraud Prevention and Recovery Act

US HB1314

The prohibition of drop boxes as lawful places of deposit for absent voters' ballots and mail ballots.

US AB2608

Elections: vote by mail ballots.

US LD1055

An Act to Prohibit the Use of Ballot Drop Boxes

US HB0205

Ballot Counting and Ballot Drop Box Modifications

US HB1396

In preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in district election officers, further providing for compensation of district election officers; in election districts and polling places, providing for ballot drop boxes; in electronic voting systems, further providing for definitions and for supplies, preparation of the voting system and of polling places, providing for pre-election logic and accuracy testing, repealing provisions relating to statistical sample and providing for post-election ballot audit; providing for electronic poll books and for electronic poll books and election infrastructure equipment bonds; in preparation for and conduct of primaries and elections, further providing for manner of applying to vote, persons entitled to vote, voter's certificates, entries to be made in district register, numbered lists of voters and challenges and for deadline for receipt of valid voter registration application; providing for in-person early voting; in voting by qualified absentee electors, further providing for date of application for absentee ballot, for approval of application for absentee ballot, for envelopes for official absentee ballots and for voting by absentee electors; in voting by qualified mail-in electors, further providing for applications for official mail-in ballots, for date of application for mail-in ballot, for approval of application for mail-in ballot, for envelopes for official mail-in ballots and for voting by mail-in electors; in returns of primaries and elections, further providing for computation of returns by county board, certification and issuance of certificates of election; in Election Integrity Grant Program, further providing for funding for elections; in recounts and contests, further providing for opening ballot boxes upon petition of electors alleging fraud or error and deposit or bond, for recanvassing voting machines upon petition of electors alleging fraud or error and for correction of returns, decision not to be final and evidence for prosecution; in penalties, further providing for interference with primaries and elections, frauds and conspiracy; making an appropriation; and making an editorial change.

US A3542

Requires at least one drive-up ballot drop box in each county; requires certain information to be posted at ballot drop boxes and locations.

US H6104

Mail Ballots

US S0845

Mail Ballots

US A3822

Changes certain mail-in ballot deadlines; permits opening and canvassing of mail-in ballots prior to election day; permits pickup schedule for certain mail-in ballots; requires confirmation notice when voter changes party affiliation at MVC.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.