Election Security: Protecting Voters and Ballots
A senate committee must act next: committee consideration.
The bill lacks support from the other party and was introduced late in the legislative session, making it difficult to pass before the next election.
Scores run from -100 (strongly harmful) to +100 (strongly beneficial) for each group, combining impact, certainty, scope, and duration ratings of 1-5. How impact scoring works
People who commit election intimidation, voter interference, or misuse of armed forces at the polls would face a much longer window, 9 years instead of the standard shorter period, during which they could still be charged and prosecuted. This increases legal exposure for anyone involved in these specific offenses even years after the fact.
“No person shall be prosecuted, tried, or punished for any offense under this section unless the indictment is found or the information is instituted not later than 9 years after the date on which the offense was committed.”
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in Senate
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
The SHIELD Our Elections Act would establish new legal tools for states and voters to challenge interference, give prosecutors more time to bring election cases, and tighten the rules on when officials can seize ballots and voting equipment, allowing for the recovery of attorney's fees.
Senator Tammy Baldwin and colleagues introduced the SHIELD Our Elections Act to give voters and state Attorneys General tools to stop interference, strengthen accountability for illegal meddling, and protect ballots from being improperly seized by federal agents during the counting process.
The legislation creates a private right of action for voters to enforce anti-interference laws and extends the statute of limitations for election crimes to nine years, aiming to ensure accountability for those who attempt to undermine the democratic process.
No votes or related bills recorded for this bill yet.
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Stop Harassment and Intimidations in Elections through Legal Defenses (SHIELD) Our Elections Act
Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.