Voting Systems Protection Act

Key Points

• The bill requires a court warrant before any federal agency can seize voting machines, ballots, voter rolls, or election records. State election officials must be allowed to observe every step of the process, from transport to storage to examination.
• Federal agencies are banned from seizing election materials during a 240-day window around federal elections (120 days before through 120 days after). The only exception requires a judge to find clear and convincing evidence of imminent harm to election integrity, public safety, or national security.
• Before seizing election materials, federal agencies must give state officials and key congressional committees 48 hours written notice, including a description of materials, legal basis, planned storage locations, and expected duration. In emergencies, notice must come within 6 hours.
• Federal employees who knowingly tamper with, damage, or destroy seized election materials face up to 10 years in prison and a permanent ban from holding any federal office or job. Even negligent mishandling can result in fines up to $250,000.
• States are given the right to sue the federal government in district court for damages, attorney's fees, and equitable relief if their election materials are tampered with or destroyed. States can also seek emergency court orders to stop or reverse unauthorized seizures.