Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ)
Election Worker and Polling Place Protection Act
A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
H.R. 10926 is known as the Election Worker and Polling Place Protection Act. This bill amends the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to protect election workers, voters, and polling places. It makes it a crime to use force, violence, or threats to interfere with or intimidate voters, poll watchers, election officials, and election workers. The bill also prohibits willfully damaging or threatening to damage polling places, tabulation centers, and election infrastructure. Violators face fines of up to $2,500 or imprisonment of up to 6 months, with harsher penalties if bodily injury occurs or weapons are involved. Finally, the bill sets rules for when the federal government can prosecute these offenses.
Yes· 3 of 4
- Scored +8
Does this protect the right to vote?
The bill protects voters, poll watchers, and election workers from force, violence, and intimidation during elections.
- Scored +8
Does this make elections run better?
The bill establishes clear criminal penalties for interfering with election workers, tabulation centers, and polling places to secure the electoral process.
- Scored +7
Does this make casting a ballot easier in practice?
By safeguarding polling places and election infrastructure from damage and interference, the bill ensures smoother access to casting ballots.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Protection from Interference: Section 2 (adding Section 11(f)(1)(A) to the Voting Rights Act) prohibits using force, violence, or threats to willfully interfere with people trying to vote, act as poll watchers, or serve as election officials and workers. This is positive because it helps ensure that the people running elections and the citizens casting ballots can do so without being blocked by threats or force.
-
Protection from Intimidation: Section 2 (adding Section 11(f)(1)(B) to the Voting Rights Act) makes it illegal to use force or threats to intimidate voters, poll watchers, election officials, and election workers. This is beneficial because it works to keep individuals safe from being scared away from participating in the election process.
-
Protection of Election Property: Section 2 (adding Section 11(f)(2)(A) to the Voting Rights Act) prohibits the willful physical damage or threats of damage to polling places, tabulation centers, and election infrastructure with the intent to interfere with elections. This is a positive safeguard because it helps protect the physical locations and equipment required to hold and count votes.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Penalties for Violators: Section 2 (adding Section 11(f)(1) and (2) to the Voting Rights Act) imposes fines of up to $2,500, up to 6 months in prison, or both, for individuals who interfere with, intimidate, or damage property related to elections. Furthermore, if bodily injury results or dangerous weapons, explosives, or fire are used, the penalties increase to a fine of not more than $5,000 or imprisonment of not more than 1 year, or both. While meant as a deterrent, individuals who break these rules face criminal burdens and loss of freedom.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this protect the right to vote? — The bill protects voters, poll watchers, and election workers from force, violence, and intimidation during elections. Does this make casting a ballot easier in practice? — By safeguarding polling places and election infrastructure from damage and interference, the bill ensures smoother access to casting ballots.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make elections run better? — The bill establishes clear criminal penalties for interfering with election workers, tabulation centers, and polling places to secure the electoral process. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill allows federal prosecution of offenses against election workers and polling places under specific certifications by the Attorney General.
- 10/29/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
3 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Don BaconRepublican · Nebraska