H.R. 7356
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.
Official summary
Written by the Congressional Research Service.
No Federal Funds for Ballot Harvesting Act
This bill requires each state, in order to receive federal funds for election administration, to prohibit the knowing collection and transmission of a ballot in a federal election that was mailed to another person (commonly referred to as ballot harvesting), with exceptions.
Text of the bill
(a) In general. The Help America Vote Act of 2002 (52 U.S.C. 20901 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
907. Prohibition on Federal funds for election administration for States allowing collection and transmission of ballots by certain third parties
(a) In general. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no Federal funds may be used to administer any election for Federal office in a State unless the State has in effect a law that prohibits an individual from the knowing collection and transmission of a ballot in an election for Federal office that was mailed to another person, other than the following individuals:
(1) An election official while engaged in official duties as authorized by law.
(2) An employee of the United States Postal Service or other commercial common carrier engaged in similar activities while engaged in duties authorized by law.
(3) Any other individual who is allowed by law to collect and transmit United States mail, while engaged in official duties as authorized by law.
(4) A family member, household member, or caregiver of the person to whom the ballot was mailed.
(b) Definitions. For purposes of this section, with respect to a person to whom the ballot was mailed:
(1) The term caregiver means an individual who provides medical or health care assistance to such person in a residence, nursing care institution, hospice facility, assisted living center, assisted living facility, assisted living home, residential care institution, adult day health care facility, or adult foster care home.
(2) The term family member means an individual who is related to such person by blood, marriage, adoption, or legal guardianship.
(3) The term household member means an individual who resides at the same residence as such person.
(b) Clerical amendment. The table of contents of such Act is amended by adding at the end the following new item:
Sec. 908. Prohibition on Federal funds for election administration for States allowing collection and transmission of ballots by certain third parties.