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To amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to require ballots in elections for Federal office to be received by the close of the polls on the date of election.
Summary
- Requires all ballots in federal elections, including absentee and mail-in ballots, to be received by election officials no later than the time polls close on election day to be counted.
- Applies to all federal elections including primaries, runoff elections, and special elections beginning in 2027.
- Prohibits states from accepting or tabulating any ballots received after polls close on election day.
- Exempts absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters from the ballot receipt deadline requirement.
- Amends the Help America Vote Act to enforce this deadline requirement through existing enforcement mechanisms.
AI-generated plain-language summary of the bill text — neutral, and may be imperfect. See the full text below for the exact wording.
Sponsor (1)
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![Rep. Lee, Laurel M. [R-FL-15]](https://media.civicgate.org/people/d/politicians/L000597.thumb.jpg)
Rep. Lee, Laurel M. (R-FL) [#15]
Money behind the sponsor
Top reported contributors to Laurel M. Lee’s campaign committee (2024 cycle) — who funds the bill’s sponsor, not a claim about this bill. Data from FEC.
- Employer not reported $87,600
- HOSPITALITY SOUTH $13,200
- ICI HOMES $13,200
- WEATHERFORD CAPITAL $13,200
- ASHLEY FURNITURE $9,900
Organizations whose employees gave the most — itemized individual contributions grouped by the donor’s reported employer (FEC Schedule A). Full finance for Laurel M. Lee → · Outside spending →
Actions (2)
- Sep 3, 2026 Referred to the House Committee on House Administration. · house
- Sep 3, 2026 Introduced in House
Text versions (1)
Bills are re-published as they move (Introduced → Reported → Engrossed → Enrolled …). Each stage below is a separate text; pick two to see what changed. Data from Congress.gov.
Full text
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 3, 2026
Ms. Lee of Florida introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on House Administration
A BILL
To amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to require ballots in elections for Federal office to be received by the close of the polls on the date of election.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the “Ballots by Election Day Act”.
SEC. 2. DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF BALLOTS.
(a) In General.—Title III of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 20901 et seq.) is amended—
(1) by redesignating sections 305 and 306 as sections 306 and 307, respectively; and
(2) by inserting after section 304 the following new section:
“SEC. 305. DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF BALLOTS.
“(a) In General.—To be considered validly cast and eligible to be counted in any election for Federal office, including a primary, runoff, or special election, all ballots (including absentee and mail- in ballots) must be received by the appropriate election official no later than the time polls close on the date of the election and, in the case of a general election for Federal office, no later than the time polls close on the date established under section 25 of the Revised Statutes of the United States (2 U.S.C. 7) for each general election for Federal office.
“(b) Untimely Ballot.—No State may accept for tabulation any ballot (including an absentee or mail-in ballot) that is received by the appropriate election official following the time polls close on the date of the election.
“(c) Exception.—The deadline described in subsection (a) shall not apply with respect to ballots cast by absent uniformed services voter or overseas voters, as defined in section 107 of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (52 U.S.C. 20310).
“(d) Effective Date.—This section shall apply with respect to elections for Federal office held in 2027 or any succeeding year.”.
(b) Enforcement.—Section 401 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 2111) is amended by striking “and 304” and inserting “304, and 305”.
(c) Clerical Amendment.—The table of contents of such Act is amended—
(1) by redesignating the items relating to sections 305 and 306 as relating to sections 306 and 307, respectively; and
(2) by inserting after the item relating to section 304 the following new item:
“Sec. 305. Deadline for receipt of ballots.”. <all>
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