S 519 — Protecting the Right to Organized, Transparent Elections through a Constitutionally Trustworthy Electoral College Act (PROTECT Electoral College Act)

Summary

Protecting the Right to Organized, Transparent Elections through a Constitutionally Trustworthy Electoral College Act (PROTECT Electoral College Act) This bill temporarily suspends federal election security grants and conditions receipt of future grants on certain state certifications. The bill also requires a study on the 2020 presidential election. Specifically, the bill suspends through July 1, 2022, election security grants. During this time period, new grants may not be awarded and previous grant funds may not be expended. Further, the bill conditions receipt of future election security grants on a state legislature certifying certain matters, including that the state's mail-in voter verification procedures are specifically established in statute. The state legislature must also certify that unless there is a statute that specifically authorizes the practice, the state (1) does not provide mail-in ballots to voters unless a voter specifically requests a ballot; and (2) does not permit third parties, except for a voter's family member or caregiver, to return a voter's completed ballot. The bill prohibits election assistance funds from being used to further an election procedure that is not expressly set forth in state statute. Additionally, the Government Accountability Office must study and report on the administration of the 2020 presidential election. The report must analyze specific matters for each state that received election security grants, including an analysis of a state's use of these grants and any subsequent actions taken by its state legislature.

Bill Text

• Introduced Introduced in Senate Current html March 02, 2021

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill adds new requirements and limitations regarding the use of election assistance grants and modifies the definition of 'State' to include the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

• 52 U.S.C. 21141

  the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, and the United States Virgin Islands → the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

  Expands the definition of 'State' to include the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

• 52 U.S.C. 20901

  PART 7--REQUIREMENTS FOR ELECTION ASSISTANCE SEC. 297. SUSPENSION OF ELECTION ASSISTANCE. (a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no grant may be awarded under this Act before July 1, 2022.

  Establishes a temporary suspension on awarding election assistance grants until July 1, 2022.

• 52 U.S.C. 20901

  SEC. 298. REQUIREMENTS FOR FUTURE ELECTION ASSISTANCE. (a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no State may receive any grant awarded under this Act after the date of the enactment of this section unless the State has certified by resolution adopted by the State legislature, as a condition of receiving the grant, that it is in compliance with the requirements of subsection (b).

  Establishes new requirements for states to certify compliance with specific election procedures as a condition for receiving future election assistance grants.

• 52 U.S.C. 20901

  SEC. 299. PROHIBITION ON USE OF FUNDS. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any amounts provided under this Act shall not be used in furtherance of any election procedure that is not expressly set forth in a statute enacted by the State legislature.

  Prohibits the use of federal funds for any election procedures not explicitly enacted by state statute.

Action History

1. March 02, 2021

   Introduced in Senate

2. March 02, 2021

   Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.

Sponsors

• Bill Hagerty · Primary

Subjects