US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US Federal House Bill HB7356

Introduced
 
Introduced
2/4/26  

Caption

To amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to prohibit the use of Federal funds for election administration in States that permit ballot harvesting.

Summary

HB7356, titled the “No Federal Funds for Ballot Harvesting Act,” would amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to bar the use of federal funds to administer federal elections in any state that does not prohibit the knowing collection and transmission of another person’s ballot, commonly referred to as ballot harvesting. The bill defines limited exceptions for election officials, postal workers and similar carriers acting within their lawful duties, and for a voter’s family member, household member, or caregiver. The bill’s findings argue that ballot harvesting creates chain-of-custody vulnerabilities, invites electioneering at voters’ homes, and can expose voters to undue influence. It also cites the Supreme Court’s decision in Brnovich v. Democratic National Committee as support for state authority to restrict the practice. The bill would add a new section to HAVA and update the statute’s table of contents accordingly.

Impact

If enacted, the bill would condition federal election-administration funding on state law restrictions against third-party ballot collection and delivery. States that permit ballot harvesting beyond the bill’s narrow exceptions could lose access to federal funds used to administer elections for federal office, effectively pressuring states to adopt or maintain anti-harvesting laws. The measure would amend HAVA by adding a new federal funding prohibition and related definitions for caregiver, family member, and household member.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and its sponsorship, the measure appears to reflect a strong concern among supporters about election integrity, ballot chain of custody, and limits on third-party ballot collection. There is no recorded committee debate or vote history in the provided materials, so no formal bipartisan or opposing sentiment can be measured from proceedings. The framing of the bill suggests support from members who favor tighter election controls and skepticism toward ballot harvesting.

Contention

The central point of contention is whether ballot harvesting is a necessary access tool or a security risk. Supporters of the bill view third-party ballot collection as vulnerable to fraud, undue influence, and weak chain-of-custody protections, while opponents would likely argue that it can help voters who face barriers to returning ballots themselves, including elderly, disabled, rural, or caregiving-affected voters. Another likely dispute is the use of federal funding as leverage over state election rules, since the bill would effectively penalize states that allow broader ballot collection practices.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

US HB0238

Ballot harvesting prohibition.

US HB529

Restoring American Confidence in Elections Act or the RACE ActThis bill establishes deadlines for states to count ballots and certify results in federal elections. Specifically, the bill requires a state to finish counting the ballots cast in a federal election held in the state not later than 10:00 p.m. on the date of the election. Further, the state must certify the election results not later than 48 hours after the election. The bill provides exceptions to these deadlines for bona fide emergencies (e.g., major disasters) or technical difficulties (e.g., malfunctioning election equipment or software).

US HB156

Restoring Faith in Elections Act This bill establishes certain standards for voting, including voting by mail, in federal elections. It also establishes certain requirements for voter registration and maintenance of official lists of eligible voters. First, the bill establishes certain requirements for voting by mail in federal elections, including by requiring mail-in ballots to be received by the time the polls close on election day. Additionally, the bill makes it unlawful to possess or return a mail-in ballot completed by another person (commonly referred to as ballot harvesting), with exceptions. A violator is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to one year, or both. Further, the bill establishes certain requirements for reporting results of federal elections, including by requiring states to count all eligible ballots within 24 hours after the election. Next, the bill provides for the automatic registration of eligible voters. The Election Assistance Commission must make grants to states to implement these automatic voter registration programs. It also requires states and jurisdictions to use standards that apply equally to all methods of voting used in federal elections, including standards related to signature verification. Finally, the bill establishes the National Deconfliction Voting Database and Clearinghouse to serve as a database and clearinghouse for voter registration records and lists of eligible voters. Additionally, each state must certify that it has removed ineligible voters from the official list of eligible voters prior to the federal election.

US HB160

Restoring Faith in Elections ActThis bill establishes certain standards for voting, including voting by mail, in federal elections. It also establishes certain requirements for voter registration and maintenance of official lists of eligible voters.First, the bill establishes certain requirements for voting by mail in federal elections, including by requiring mail-in ballots to be received by the time the polls close on election day.Additionally, the bill makes it unlawful to possess or return a mail-in ballot completed by another person (commonly referred to as ballot harvesting), with exceptions. A violator is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to one year, or both.Further, the bill establishes certain requirements for reporting results of federal elections, including by requiring states to count all eligible ballots within 24 hours after the election.Next, the bill provides for the automatic registration of eligible voters. The Election Assistance Commission must make grants to states to implement these automatic voter registration programs.It also requires states and jurisdictions to use standards that apply equally to all methods of voting used in federal elections, including standards related to signature verification.Finally, the bill establishes the National Deconfliction Voting Database and Clearinghouse to serve as a database and clearinghouse for voter registration records and lists of eligible voters. Additionally, each state must certify that it has removed ineligible voters from the official list of eligible voters prior to the federal election.

US S3464

Requires State to use at least half of future federal "Help America Vote Act" funds for voting systems with paper record.

US HB723

Protect American Election Administration Act of 2025

US HB154

Securing our Elections Act of 2023 This bill establishes certain photo identification requirements for voting in federal elections. Specifically, the bill prohibits a state or local election official from providing a ballot for a federal election to an individual who does not present valid photo identification. Next, the bill outlines the availability of provisional ballots and the requirements for counting those ballots. In particular, an individual who does not present a valid photo identification must be permitted to cast a provisional ballot. However, an election official may not determine that the individual is eligible under state law to vote in the election unless, not later than three days after casting the provisional ballot, the individual presents (1) the identification required, or (2) an affidavit attesting that the individual does not possess the identification because of a religious objection to being photographed. An election official may not allow for voting methods other than in-person voting unless the individual submits the ballot with (1) a copy of their photo identification, or (2) the last four digits of their Social Security number with an affidavit attesting that the individual is unable to obtain a copy of a valid photo identification after making reasonable efforts to obtain a copy. This prohibition shall not apply to overseas military voters. The bill also requires an election official to provide an individual with a valid photo identification without charge if that individual presents an affidavit attesting to an inability to afford or otherwise obtain a valid photo identification.

US HB156

Securing our Elections Act of 2025This bill establishes certain photo identification requirements for voting in federal elections.Specifically, the bill prohibits a state or local election official from providing a ballot for a federal election to an individual who does not present valid photo identification.Next, the bill outlines the availability of provisional ballots and the requirements for counting those ballots. In particular, an individual who does not present a valid photo identification must be permitted to cast a provisional ballot. However, an election official may not determine that the individual is eligible under state law to vote in the election unless, not later than three days after casting the provisional ballot, the individual presents (1) the identification required, or (2) an affidavit attesting that the individual does not possess the identification because of a religious objection to being photographed.An election official may not allow for voting methods other than in-person voting unless the individual submits the ballot with (1) a copy of their photo identification, or (2) the last four digits of their Social Security number with an affidavit attesting that the individual is unable to obtain a copy of a valid photo identification after making reasonable efforts to obtain a copy. This prohibition shall not apply to overseas military voters.The bill also requires a state to provide an individual with a valid photo identification without charge if that individual presents an affidavit attesting to an inability to afford or otherwise obtain a valid photo identification.

US HB149

Protecting Our Democracy by Preventing Foreign Citizens from Voting Act This bill prohibits federal funds from being made available to state or local governments that allow noncitizens to vote in federal, state, or local elections.

US HB192

This bill prohibits an individual who is not a U.S. citizen from voting in any elections in the District of Columbia (DC). Federal law bars noncitizens from voting in federal elections; however, the DC Council passed a bill on October 18, 2022, that allows noncitizens who meet residency and other requirements to vote in local elections.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.