Legis Daily

Vote Without Fear Act

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

Raul Ruiz

Democratic Representative

California

Cosponsors (2)
Gabe Amo (Democratic)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 (2)
Gabe Amo (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

Crime and Law Enforcement

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