To amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to prohibit the use of Federal funds for election administration in States that permit ballot harvesting.
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7356
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Government Operations and Politics
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-02-04: Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-10T13:46:04Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The "No Federal Funds for Ballot Harvesting Act" (H.R. 7356) aims to protect the integrity of elections by restricting federal funding for states that allow "ballot harvesting"—the practice where third parties collect and deliver mailed ballots on behalf of voters. It seeks to address perceived vulnerabilities in ballot handling, such as risks to chain of custody, potential undue influence, and lack of tracking, while affirming states' authority to regulate this practice.
Key Provisions
- Prohibition on Federal Funds: Amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA) by adding a new Section 907, which bars the use of federal funds for administering federal elections in states that do not prohibit third-party collection and transmission of mailed ballots.
- Allowed Exceptions: States must enact laws banning such third-party actions except for:
- Election officials performing authorized duties.
- U.S. Postal Service employees or commercial carriers in their official roles.
- Other authorized mail handlers in official duties.
- Family members (related by blood, marriage, adoption, or guardianship), household members (sharing a residence), or caregivers (those providing medical or health assistance in care facilities or homes).
- Definitions: Provides clear definitions for "caregiver," "family member," and "household member" to ensure consistent application.
- Findings Section: Outlines congressional concerns based on reports from election observers (e.g., 2018 and 2020 elections), highlighting risks like unidentified collectors and electioneering at homes, and references the Supreme Court's affirmation of state restrictions in Brnovich v. Democratic National Committee (2021).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces a new funding condition in HAVA, tying federal election grants to state-level bans on broad ballot harvesting.
- Previously, HAVA provided federal funds for election improvements without such restrictions on third-party ballot handling, allowing states flexibility in absentee voting practices.
- Adds a clerical update to HAVA's table of contents for the new Section 907 (listed as Section 908 in the amendment).
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: State election offices in non-compliant states could lose federal funding (e.g., for voter registration systems, polling equipment, or accessibility improvements), potentially straining budgets and forcing reallocations from state resources.
- On Citizens: Voters in affected states might face indirect effects, such as reduced election resources leading to longer lines, fewer polling sites, or delays in vote processing; it could limit voting options for those relying on assistance from non-family third parties (e.g., in rural or mobility-limited areas).
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic U.S. elections.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- States and Election Officials: Primarily impacted, as they must amend laws to maintain federal funding or absorb costs of non-compliance.
- Voters: Especially those using mail-in ballots, including elderly, disabled, or rural residents who may depend on third-party help.
- Federal Government: The Election Assistance Commission and Congress, which allocate HAVA funds, would enforce compliance through funding decisions.
- Advocacy Groups: Election integrity organizations, voting rights advocates, and political parties, who may support or oppose based on views of ballot access versus security.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Builds on the Brnovich Supreme Court decision, which upheld state laws restricting third-party ballot collection under the Voting Rights Act, potentially strengthening federal deference to state election rules but inviting challenges if seen as overly prescriptive.
- Constitutional: Could raise questions under the Tenth Amendment (states' rights to regulate elections) or anti-commandeering principles, as it conditions federal funds on state law changes; might face scrutiny for indirectly burdening voting rights under the Fourteenth Amendment.
- Political: Likely to spark debate on election security versus voter access, with potential for partisan divides; non-compliance could pressure states to revise laws before federal elections, influencing turnout and administration in key battleground areas.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (8)
Rep. Onder, Robert F. [R-MO-3], Rep. McDowell, Addison P. [R-NC-6], Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24], Rep. Harrigan, Pat [R-NC-10], Rep. Gill, Brandon [R-TX-26], Rep. Cline, Ben [R-VA-6], Rep. Bentz, Cliff [R-OR-2], Rep. Steube, W. Gregory [R-FL-17]
Recent Actions
- 2026-02-04: Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
- 2026-02-04: Introduced in House
- 2026-02-04: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- No Federal Funds for Ballot Harvesting Act — issued 2026-02-04 — PDF (5 pages)