Verifiable, Orderly, and Timely Election Results Act This bill establishes certain federal standards for voting by mail and reporting federal election results. It also requires states to establish certain election measures. First, the bill establishes federal standards for (1) requesting a mail-in ballot; (2) confirming the identity, registration, and eligibility of an individual requesting a mail-in ballot; and (3) submitting a mail-in ballot. In particular, the bill requires mail-in ballots to be received by the time the polls close on election day. In addition, the bill makes it unlawful to possess or return a mail-in ballot completed by another person (commonly referred to as ballot harvesting), with exceptions. A violator is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to one year, or both. The bill also establishes standards for reporting federal election results, including by requiring states to count all eligible ballots within 24 hours after the election. Finally, each state must, in order to receive election assistance funds, have in effect certain laws related to voting. For example, states must require voters to present identification to cast a ballot in a federal election.
Verifiable, Orderly, and Timely Election Results Act
Introduced in Senate
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
Government Operations and Politics
Accounting and auditingBorder security and unlawful immigrationElections, voting, political campaign regulationForeign laborFraud offenses and financial crimesGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsPhotography and imagingPostal serviceState and local government operations
Verifiable, Orderly, and Timely Election Results Act
USA117th CongressS-301| Senate
| Updated: 2/8/2021
Verifiable, Orderly, and Timely Election Results Act This bill establishes certain federal standards for voting by mail and reporting federal election results. It also requires states to establish certain election measures. First, the bill establishes federal standards for (1) requesting a mail-in ballot; (2) confirming the identity, registration, and eligibility of an individual requesting a mail-in ballot; and (3) submitting a mail-in ballot. In particular, the bill requires mail-in ballots to be received by the time the polls close on election day. In addition, the bill makes it unlawful to possess or return a mail-in ballot completed by another person (commonly referred to as ballot harvesting), with exceptions. A violator is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to one year, or both. The bill also establishes standards for reporting federal election results, including by requiring states to count all eligible ballots within 24 hours after the election. Finally, each state must, in order to receive election assistance funds, have in effect certain laws related to voting. For example, states must require voters to present identification to cast a ballot in a federal election.
Accounting and auditingBorder security and unlawful immigrationElections, voting, political campaign regulationForeign laborFraud offenses and financial crimesGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsPhotography and imagingPostal serviceState and local government operations