Protect Our Polls Act
- Bill Number
- S. 4845
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Crime and Law Enforcement
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-18: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-02T20:59:15Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose The legislation, titled the Protect Our Polls Act, aims to strengthen congressional oversight over any deployment of federal troops or armed personnel at polling places. It reinforces existing prohibitions on such deployments while requiring explicit prior approval from Congress for the narrow exception allowing troops to repel armed enemies of the United States.
Key Provisions
- Sense of Congress: Affirms that sections 592 and 593 of title 18, United States Code, have long criminalized sending troops or armed men to polls, with an exception only for repelling armed enemies, which has never been used.
- New Notification and Approval Process: Adds section 592a to title 18, requiring the head of the relevant agency to submit a detailed unclassified report to congressional leaders at least 48 hours before any deployment under the exception. The report must cover troop numbers, supporting intelligence (with a classified annex), locations, legal authority, training for civilian interactions, and why state or local forces cannot handle the threat.
- Expedited Congressional Review: Any deployment requires passage of a joint resolution by Congress before troops arrive. Procedures include automatic referral to relevant committees, limited debate times, and votes within tight deadlines (such as 20 hours for committee action and 10 hours for floor votes). If Congress is adjourned, leaders may request a special session.
- Amendments to the Civil Rights Act of 1960: Prohibits federal funds for armed forces or executive agencies to access certain election records retained under the Act. Includes a rule allowing military members to vote where qualified, plus technical updates and a sunset date of January 20, 2029.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces mandatory pre-deployment reporting and a requirement for affirmative congressional approval via joint resolution, even when invoking the existing exception in 18 U.S.C. § 592.
- Restricts funding access to election records by federal armed personnel or agencies under the Civil Rights Act of 1960.
- Establishes new expedited legislative procedures for election-related military deployments.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Requires the Department of Defense, intelligence community, and other agencies to provide detailed reports and briefings, potentially delaying or preventing deployments without congressional support.
- On Citizens: Limits federal armed presence at polls unless explicitly approved, which could affect perceptions of election security while preserving state and local authority.
- On International Relations: No direct effects are outlined in the bill.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Members of Congress and congressional committees.
- Executive branch agencies, including the Department of Defense, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Director of National Intelligence.
- State and local election officials.
- Voters and military personnel exercising voting rights.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Emphasizes separation of powers by mandating legislative approval for executive actions involving armed forces at elections.
- Includes a severability clause to preserve the rest of the law if any part is found unconstitutional.
- The temporary sunset on the Civil Rights Act amendments creates a time-limited restriction on federal record access.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (9)
Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI], Sen. Gallego, Ruben [D-AZ], Sen. Kelly, Mark [D-AZ], Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN], Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA], Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV], Sen. Warnock, Raphael G. [D-GA], Sen. Hickenlooper, John W. [D-CO], Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-18: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2026-06-18: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Protect Our Polls Act — issued 2026-06-18 — PDF (8 pages)