Ballots by Election Day Act

This legislation, known as the "Ballots by Election Day Act," amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to establish a nationwide deadline for the receipt of ballots in federal elections. Its primary purpose is to ensure that all absentee and mail-in ballots are received by election officials no later than the time polls close on Election Day to be considered validly cast and eligible for tabulation. Specifically, the bill prohibits states from accepting for tabulation any such ballot received after this deadline. However, an important exception is made for ballots cast by absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters , for whom the deadline does not apply, though state laws requiring earlier receipt for these groups are not preempted. These provisions are set to take effect for federal elections held in 2027 and subsequent years.