Promoting Free and Fair Elections Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 4823

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Government Operations and Politics

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-07-29: Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Oversight and Government Reform, Science, Space, and Technology, and Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Last Updated

2026-06-11T23:26:41Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The "Promoting Free and Fair Elections Act of 2025" (H.R. 4823) aims to restrict federal government involvement in voter registration and mobilization efforts. It seeks to limit agencies' use of federal funds for partnerships with outside groups and to curb activities outlined in Executive Order 14019 (issued in 2021 to promote voting access), ensuring these align with existing election laws like the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA).

Key Provisions

• Clarification on Executive Order 14019: The order (or similar future ones) loses legal force if it conflicts with Section 7 of the NVRA, which allows limited federal agency roles in voter registration (e.g., providing forms at certain offices but not actively promoting registration).
• Ban on Agency Agreements with Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs): Federal funds for agency salaries and expenses cannot be used to form partnerships with NGOs for voter registration or mobilization activities—such as handing out registration forms, absentee ballot applications, voting guides, or candidate information—on agency property or websites.
• Delay in Implementing Executive Order Activities:
• Agencies must pause using funds for tasks directed by Executive Order 14019 (e.g., developing voter outreach plans) until they submit required reports to Congress.
• Exceptions apply for NVRA-permitted activities, like distributing forms at designated offices.
• Agencies must report within 30 days of the bill's enactment: either their strategic plan for voter promotion (as required by the order) or a certification that no such plan exists.
• Additional Reporting Requirements: Agency heads must submit a report within 30 days detailing all activities already conducted under Sections 3 and 4 of Executive Order 14019 (focusing on strategic planning and agency coordination for voting access).
• Prohibition in Federal Work-Study Programs: Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to bar students in federally funded work-study jobs from engaging in voter registration or mobilization, whether on or off campus.
• Effective Date and Definitions:
• Applies starting in fiscal year 2025, except for the initial reporting deadlines.
• Defines "agency" broadly (as in federal records laws) but excludes independent regulatory agencies from certain reporting.
• "Appropriate congressional committees" include key Senate and House panels on rules, administration, and judiciary.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Limits Executive Order 14019: Introduces a statutory override, nullifying parts of the order that go beyond NVRA limits, which previously allowed agencies like the Social Security Administration to distribute voter forms but not to actively promote registration.
• Funding Restrictions: Newly prohibits using agency operational funds for NGO partnerships, expanding beyond prior laws that focused on direct agency actions.
• Work-Study Amendment: Adds an explicit ban on voter-related tasks in the Higher Education Act, which previously allowed such community service but did not specifically address elections.
• Reporting Mandates: Imposes new, immediate congressional oversight requirements on executive branch activities, with no prior equivalent in the targeted order.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: Could reduce administrative burdens by halting or delaying voter outreach programs, but requires quick reporting that may strain resources. Agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services or Education might see curtailed collaborations, potentially shifting focus back to core missions.
• On Citizens: May limit access to voter registration resources at federal offices or websites, particularly affecting underserved groups (e.g., students or benefit recipients) who rely on these touchpoints. It preserves basic NVRA options but removes proactive federal promotion.
• On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic U.S. elections.
• Broader Effects: Could slow federal efforts to boost voter turnout, potentially leading to lower participation in future elections unless states or NGOs fill the gap independently.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Federal Agencies: Heads and staff of executive branch departments (e.g., those handling public services) must comply with bans and reporting, facing funding restrictions.
• Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs): Groups focused on voter outreach (e.g., civic or advocacy organizations) lose opportunities for on-site or online partnerships with federal entities.
• Citizens and Voters: Especially college students in work-study programs and individuals interacting with federal services, who may face fewer registration prompts.
• Congress: Gains enhanced oversight through reports to specified committees, influencing future election policy.
• Educational Institutions: Universities and colleges administering work-study programs must adjust eligible activities to avoid voter-related tasks.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal Implications: Reinforces the NVRA's boundaries on federal roles in elections, potentially inviting court challenges if seen as unduly restricting voting access under laws like the Voting Rights Act. The funding bans could be tested as congressional limits on executive spending (via the Impoundment Control Act framework).
• Constitutional Implications: Touches on First Amendment concerns (e.g., free speech in voter mobilization) and equal protection under the Fourteenth Amendment, as reduced federal outreach might disproportionately affect certain demographics. It balances federalism by deferring more responsibility to states for elections.
• Political Implications: Targets a Democratic-issued executive order, signaling partisan divides on election administration; it promotes "fairness" by curbing perceived overreach but could be viewed as suppressing turnout efforts. Referred to multiple committees, it may face debates on bipartisanship before advancing.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24]

Recent Actions

• 2025-07-29: Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Oversight and Government Reform, Science, Space, and Technology, and Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-07-29: Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Oversight and Government Reform, Science, Space, and Technology, and Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-07-29: Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Oversight and Government Reform, Science, Space, and Technology, and Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-07-29: Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Oversight and Government Reform, Science, Space, and Technology, and Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-07-29: Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Oversight and Government Reform, Science, Space, and Technology, and Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-07-29: Introduced in House
• 2025-07-29: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Promoting Free and Fair Elections Act of 2025 — issued 2025-07-29 — PDF (6 pages)