Legis Daily

Vote Without Fear Act

USA119th CongressHR-7965| House 
| Updated: 3/17/2026
Raul Ruiz

Raul Ruiz

Democratic Representative

California

Cosponsors (1)
Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This proposed legislation, known as the "Vote Without Fear Act," seeks to establish a federal prohibition on the unauthorized possession of firearms at federal election sites. It amends title 18 of the United States Code to make it unlawful to knowingly possess or cause a firearm to be present in, or within 100 yards of an entrance to, a designated Federal election site. Violators of this prohibition could face fines, imprisonment for up to one year, or both. The bill defines a Federal election site as any building or part of a building where federal, state, or local employees administer a polling place or process ballots for a federal election. This measure aims to create a safer environment for voters and election workers by restricting firearms in these critical locations. However, the bill includes several key exceptions to this prohibition, such as on-duty law enforcement officers or authorized private security personnel firearms securely kept within a vehicle and not removed or brandished and lawful possession of a firearm within a private residence, business, or private property located within the 100-yard zone . Additionally, the bill imposes significantly harsher penalties, including up to five years imprisonment, for possessing a firearm at an election site with the intent to commit a crime, and even more severe punishments for causing death during such a violation or an attack on an election site.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-4722
Vote Without Fear Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-2471
Vote Without Fear Act
Mar 17, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-4121
Introduced in Senate
Mar 17, 2026
Introduced in House
Mar 17, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-4722
    Vote Without Fear Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-2471
    Vote Without Fear Act


  • March 17, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-4121
    Introduced in Senate


  • March 17, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • March 17, 2026
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Crime and Law Enforcement

Vote Without Fear Act

USA119th CongressHR-7965| House 
| Updated: 3/17/2026
This proposed legislation, known as the "Vote Without Fear Act," seeks to establish a federal prohibition on the unauthorized possession of firearms at federal election sites. It amends title 18 of the United States Code to make it unlawful to knowingly possess or cause a firearm to be present in, or within 100 yards of an entrance to, a designated Federal election site. Violators of this prohibition could face fines, imprisonment for up to one year, or both. The bill defines a Federal election site as any building or part of a building where federal, state, or local employees administer a polling place or process ballots for a federal election. This measure aims to create a safer environment for voters and election workers by restricting firearms in these critical locations. However, the bill includes several key exceptions to this prohibition, such as on-duty law enforcement officers or authorized private security personnel firearms securely kept within a vehicle and not removed or brandished and lawful possession of a firearm within a private residence, business, or private property located within the 100-yard zone . Additionally, the bill imposes significantly harsher penalties, including up to five years imprisonment, for possessing a firearm at an election site with the intent to commit a crime, and even more severe punishments for causing death during such a violation or an attack on an election site.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-4722
Vote Without Fear Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-2471
Vote Without Fear Act
Mar 17, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-4121
Introduced in Senate
Mar 17, 2026
Introduced in House
Mar 17, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-4722
    Vote Without Fear Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-2471
    Vote Without Fear Act


  • March 17, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-4121
    Introduced in Senate


  • March 17, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • March 17, 2026
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Raul Ruiz

Raul Ruiz

Democratic Representative

California

Cosponsors (1)
Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

Crime and Law Enforcement

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted