SWIFT VOTE Act

Bill Number

H.R. 4881

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Government Operations and Politics

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-08-05: Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.

Last Updated

2026-07-10T08:06:36Z

AI-Generated Summary

Summary of H.R. 4881: SWIFT VOTE Act

Purpose

The SWIFT VOTE Act aims to improve the efficiency of voting in federal elections by funding electronic pollbooks (e-pollbooks) and systems to track and share wait times at polling places. This is intended to reduce long lines, make voting more accessible, and provide real-time information to voters about delays.

Key Provisions

• Grant Program: The Election Assistance Commission (EAC) must award grants to eligible jurisdictions (states or their political subdivisions responsible for federal elections) within one year of the bill's enactment. Grants can fund:
• Purchasing or maintaining e-pollbooks, which are digital devices that replace paper voter lists, speed up check-ins, assign ballots, and track voters in real time.
• Developing systems to collect and share wait time information (the time from arriving at a polling place to completing check-in, and from check-in to receiving a ballot or accessing a voting machine).
• Prioritization: Grants prioritize areas with a proven need for new e-pollbooks to cut wait times and those planning to report wait times publicly as required.
• Application Requirements: Jurisdictions must submit applications including:
• A description of their need for e-pollbooks or wait time tools.
• A certification that the chief election official will post real-time wait times on their public website during federal elections (hourly for short hours, at least four times for longer days) and issue post-election reports on wait times for the entire election cycle (from after one general election to the next).
• Assurances that funds will supplement (not replace) existing budgets, include regular reports to the EAC, comply with EAC certification standards for e-pollbooks (while allowing state-specific rules), and provide training for election workers on using e-pollbooks to assist all voters, including those with disabilities or limited English proficiency.
• Funding: Authorizes $120 million for the program, available until spent.
• Definitions: Clarifies terms like "e-pollbook," "wait time information," "eligible jurisdiction," "election cycle," and "state" (including U.S. territories and D.C.).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill introduces a new federal grant program through the EAC specifically for e-pollbooks and wait time reporting in federal elections. It builds on the EAC's existing Voluntary Electronic Poll Book Certification Program by requiring grant recipients to follow its standards but does not mandate e-pollbooks statewide. It adds requirements for public dissemination of wait time data, which is not currently standardized federally, and emphasizes training for inclusive voter support.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: The EAC gains new responsibilities to administer grants, review applications, and monitor compliance, potentially increasing its workload and budget needs. State and local election offices may see improved technology but must invest in training and reporting.
• Citizens: Voters could experience shorter wait times and easier access to polling places, especially in high-need areas, benefiting underserved groups like people with disabilities or language barriers. Real-time wait time info on websites could help voters plan better and avoid discouragement from long lines.
• International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic U.S. elections.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Election Authorities: The EAC, state chief election officials, and local jurisdictions responsible for running polls, who will receive and manage grants.
• Voters: All U.S. citizens voting in federal elections, particularly those in areas with long historical wait times or accessibility challenges.
• Election Workers and Vendors: Poll workers who will use and be trained on e-pollbooks; technology providers supplying certified devices.
• Advocacy Groups: Organizations focused on voting rights, who may support or monitor implementation for equity.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Reinforces federal support for election administration under the Help America Vote Act (which established the EAC) by promoting technology that complies with certification standards, without overriding state election laws. The supplemental funding assurance prevents it from displacing state budgets.
• Constitutional: Aligns with the U.S. Constitution's emphasis on free and fair elections (via the 14th, 15th, 19th, 24th, and 26th Amendments) by enhancing access and reducing barriers, potentially addressing equal protection concerns in voting delays.
• Political: Could foster bipartisan efforts to modernize elections, as wait times are a common complaint across parties, but implementation might spark debates on federal involvement in state-run processes or data privacy for voter tracking.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Crockett, Jasmine [D-TX-30]

Cosponsors (15)

Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5], Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17], Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3], Rep. Fields, Cleo [D-LA-6], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2], Rep. Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13], Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1]

Recent Actions

• 2025-08-05: Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
• 2025-08-05: Introduced in House
• 2025-08-05: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Supplying Wait-time Information to Facilitate Timely Voting with Operational and Technology Enhancements Act — issued 2025-08-05 — PDF (7 pages)