States holding federal elections would have to count at least 90 percent of cast ballots within 72 hours of polls closing and finish counting and certify results within two weeks. States can be excused for major disasters, public health emergencies, cyberattacks, equipment malfunctions, newly implemented procedures, or recounts, with sign-off from the Election Assistance Commission and the Attorney General. States that miss the deadlines without an excuse lose federal election administration funding until they submit a compliance plan that both agencies certify. The rules apply to elections held more than 90 days after enactment.
Transparency & Accountability
- Ballot-counting deadlines — 90% within 72 hours and full certification within 2 weeks
- Federal election funds — Withheld from states that miss deadlines without a certified excuse
Civil Liberties
- State election timing flexibility — Narrowed by federal deadlines tied to funding
Congressional Summary
Election Results Accountability ActThis bill establishes deadlines for states to count ballots and certify results in federal elections. Specifically, the bill requires a state to count not less than 90% of the ballots cast in a federal election held in the state not later than 72 hours after polls close and make the result of the count publicly available. Further, the state must certify and make publicly available the complete election results not later than two weeks after the election. The bill provides exceptions to these deadlines, including for bona fide emergencies (e.g., major disasters) or technical difficulties (e.g., malfunctioning election equipment or software).The bill prohibits a state from receiving federal election administration funds for subsequent elections if the state does not comply with the deadlines established by the bill. However, a state may regain eligibility for these funds if (1) the state submits a compliance plan to the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) and the Department of Justice (DOJ), and (2) the EAC and DOJ each certify that the state has taken actions to comply with the plan.
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- House
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Introduced in House
- Action Date
- 2025-04-07
- Date Added
- 2026-05-19
- Source
- Congress.gov →
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