House BillHR 4913Government Operations and Politics
CHALLENGES Act
INTRO AUG 5· LAST ACTION AUG 5
READING
5MIN
COSPONSORS
33
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-written
Voters should care about this bill because it aims to make it harder for individuals or groups to remove eligible voters from the registration rolls through what the bill calls 'bad faith' challenges. If this bill becomes law, it could reduce instances of voters being wrongly targeted with challenges, which can lead to stress, time-consuming efforts to prove eligibility, and even disenfranchisement if not resolved before an election.
If the bill doesn't pass, the current system for voter registration challenges would remain, where individuals may not need to provide specific evidence or attest to personal knowledge when submitting challenges. This could leave voters more vulnerable to mass challenges that might not be based on accurate, individualized information. The bill connects to broader concerns about election integrity and access to the ballot box, aiming to balance the need for accurate voter rolls with protecting eligible citizens' right to vote without undue harassment.
KEY PROVISIONS
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PROVISION 01
Requires individuals challenging a voter's registration (who are not election officials) to provide clear, specific evidence not derived from mass data matching, swear under oath they have personal knowledge of ineligibility, and be registered in the same jurisdiction as the challenged voter.
This makes it significantly harder to submit broad, unverified challenges and ensures challengers have a direct connection and basis for their claim.
PROVISION 02
Mandates that online portals used for submitting voter challenges must require the challenger's name and display information about the new challenge requirements.
This promotes transparency and ensures challengers are aware of their obligations and accountability when using online systems.
PROVISION 03
Creates a private right of action, allowing individuals whose registration is challenged in bad faith to sue the challenger for compensatory damages (money for losses) and punitive damages up to $1,000 per violation.
This provides a direct legal recourse for voters harmed by improper challenges and acts as a financial deterrent against such actions.
PROVISION 04
Establishes criminal penalties, including fines (up to $10,000 for organizations) and up to six months in prison, for knowingly or negligently making a false voter registration challenge or providing false information to encourage others to do so.
This introduces a strong criminal deterrent for intentional misuse of the challenge process, aiming to prevent systematic false challenges.
Voters should care about this bill because it aims to make it harder for individuals or groups to remove eligible voters from the registration rolls through what the bill calls 'bad faith' challenges. If this bill becomes law, it could reduce instances of voters being wrongly targeted with challenges, which can lead to stress, time-consuming efforts to prove eligibility, and even disenfranchisement if not resolved before an election.
If the bill doesn't pass, the current system for voter registration challenges would remain, where individuals may not need to provide specific evidence or attest to personal knowledge when submitting challenges. This could leave voters more vulnerable to mass challenges that might not be based on accurate, individualized information. The bill connects to broader concerns about election integrity and access to the ballot box, aiming to balance the need for accurate voter rolls with protecting eligible citizens' right to vote without undue harassment.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Requires individuals challenging a voter's registration (who are not election officials) to provide clear, specific evidence not derived from mass data matching, swear under oath they have personal knowledge of ineligibility, and be registered in the same jurisdiction as the challenged voter.
This makes it significantly harder to submit broad, unverified challenges and ensures challengers have a direct connection and basis for their claim.
med
Mandates that online portals used for submitting voter challenges must require the challenger's name and display information about the new challenge requirements.
This promotes transparency and ensures challengers are aware of their obligations and accountability when using online systems.
high
Creates a private right of action, allowing individuals whose registration is challenged in bad faith to sue the challenger for compensatory damages (money for losses) and punitive damages up to $1,000 per violation.
This provides a direct legal recourse for voters harmed by improper challenges and acts as a financial deterrent against such actions.
high
Establishes criminal penalties, including fines (up to $10,000 for organizations) and up to six months in prison, for knowingly or negligently making a false voter registration challenge or providing false information to encourage others to do so.
This introduces a strong criminal deterrent for intentional misuse of the challenge process, aiming to prevent systematic false challenges.
The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to a challenge to the voter registration status of an individual which is made after the date of the enactment of this Act.
Compensatory damages + up to $1,000 punitive damages per violation
Person who submits a bad-faith challenge
criminal
Fine (in accordance with Title 18, U.S. Code) and/or imprisonment not more than 6 months (up to $10,000 fine for non-individuals)
Person who knowingly or negligently submits a false challenge or provides false information to facilitate a false challenge
GLOSSARY
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National Voter Registration Act of 1993
A federal law that makes it easier for all Americans to register to vote and maintain their registration.
Bad faith challenge
A formal objection to a person's voter registration status that is made without a legitimate basis, or with an intent to harass or disenfranchise, rather than an honest belief that the person is ineligible.
Penalty of perjury
A statement that is made under oath, meaning that intentionally providing false information could lead to criminal charges for lying.
Private right of action
Allows an individual to sue another person or entity directly in court for violating a law, rather than relying on the government to take enforcement action.
Compensatory damages
Money awarded in a lawsuit to an injured party to cover actual losses or injuries they suffered due to someone else's actions.
Punitive damages
Money awarded in a lawsuit to punish the defendant for particularly harmful or wrongful behavior and to deter similar actions in the future, beyond simply compensating the injured party.
Criminal penalties
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTS
AUG 5, 25
Introduced in House
INTROREFERRAL
AUG 5, 25
Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
