A Democratic bill with 8 Democratic cosponsors · See all 8 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
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
This bill, known as the "Special Election Timeliness Act" or the "SET Act," aims to change how vacancies in the House of Representatives are handled. It requires States to hold special elections to fill these vacancies within 180 days of the vacancy occurring. An exception is made if a regularly scheduled general election is already set to happen during that 180-day window. The bill also establishes civil enforcement measures to ensure compliance. This includes allowing the Attorney General to take legal action against a State's chief executive. Additionally, aggrieved persons, such as the Speaker or Minority Leader of the House, may also bring civil actions.
Yes· 3 of 5
- Scored +6
Does this make elections run better?
The bill improves the electoral process by setting a clear 180-day deadline to resolve House vacancies.
- Scored +5
Does this protect the right to vote?
The bill ensures that congressional vacancies are filled quickly through mandated special election deadlines.
- Scored +4
Does this give the federal government more power?
The bill increases federal oversight by allowing the Attorney General and House leadership to sue state executives to enforce election deadlines.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Timely Representation: By requiring a special election to occur no later than 180 days after a vacancy occurs, the bill ensures that vacancies caused by death, resignation, or incapacity are filled in a specific timeframe (Section 2(a)(1) and (2)).
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Legal Accountability: The bill provides ways to enforce these rules through civil actions. The Attorney General can seek relief in court, and even aggrieved individuals like the Speaker of the House or the Minority Leader have a private right of action against the chief executive of a State to ensure the law is followed (Section 2(a)(3)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts are explicitly stated in the text provided.
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.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make elections run better? — The bill improves the electoral process by setting a clear 180-day deadline to resolve House vacancies. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill increases federal oversight by allowing the Attorney General and House leadership to sue state executives to enforce election deadlines.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this protect the right to vote? — The bill ensures that congressional vacancies are filled quickly through mandated special election deadlines. Does this make casting a ballot easier in practice? — By establishing a strict timeframe for special elections, the bill ensures voters have timely access to representation.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people in cities be better off under this? — Ensuring timely representation helps maintain the democratic voice of all residents in congressional districts.
- 5/15/2026
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- 4/29/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
- 5 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Joyce BeattyDemocrat · Ohio
Yvette ClarkeDemocrat · New York
Greg CasarDemocrat · Texas
Shomari FiguresDemocrat · Alabama
Henry JohnsonDemocrat · Georgia
LaMonica McIverDemocrat · New Jersey
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Jamie RaskinDemocrat · Maryland