Restoring Faith in Elections Act

The "Restoring Faith in Elections Act" introduces comprehensive federal standards to bolster election integrity and security while expanding voter access. It sets forth specific requirements for mail-in ballots , including standardized request forms, identity verification, and a 21-day submission deadline before federal elections. Ballots must be signed, dated, and received by poll closing, with strict rules on who can possess or return another person's ballot, generally limiting it to immediate family or caregivers. The bill also mandates new federal standards for reporting election results , requiring mail-in ballots to begin counting at least one week prior to election day. Precincts must report initial ballot counts one hour after polls close, and all validly cast ballots for federal elections must be counted and reported within 24 hours of the conclusion of voting. A significant provision is the establishment of automatic voter registration (AVR) , requiring states to implement systems that register eligible individuals through various government agencies unless they decline. This includes agencies like motor vehicle departments, social security, and higher education institutions, which will transmit voter information to election officials. The bill includes protections for individuals against prosecution for registration errors and sets strict rules for the privacy and security of voter information. To ensure the accuracy of voter lists, the legislation creates a National Deconfliction Voting Database and Clearinghouse within the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). States will be required to certify the removal of ineligible voters from their lists 90 days before federal elections and submit these lists to CISA. The U.S. Postal Service and Social Security Administration will also provide change-of-address and deceased voter information to states and CISA. Furthermore, the bill promotes standardized election administration by requiring states to apply equal standards to all voting methods, including signature verification, and to avoid subsidizing one method over others unless equally applied. It also mandates uniform election administration procedures across all jurisdictions within a state, particularly concerning provisional ballots. The act provides grants to states to assist with implementing these new requirements, with an effective date for most provisions set for January 1, 2027.