CHALLENGES Act

Protection from bad faith challenges: The bill creates protections so that no person, other than a State or local election official, can challenge a voter's registration without providing clear and convincing evidence that is not generated by a mass computerized data matching process (Section 2(a)(1)).

Increased accountability for challengers: Individuals submitting challenges must present an oath or attestation under penalty of perjury that they have personal knowledge of the individual's ineligibility (Section 2(a)(2)).

Requirement for local standing: If a challenger is an individual, they must be registered to vote in the same registrar's jurisdiction as the person being challenged (Section 2(a)(3)).

Financial recourse for victims: Aggrieved persons can bring civil actions for compensatory damages to cover costs incurred due to a violation, plus punitive damages up to $1,000 per violation (Section 2(b)(1)(B)).

Criminal penalties for false information: The bill establishes that persons who knowingly and negligently disregard an individual's eligibility, or provide false information with the expectation it will be used for a formal challenge, can face fines or imprisonment of up to 6 months (Section 2(b)(2)).

Fines for non-individual entities: If a person who is not an individual commits a violation, they can be fined $10,000 for each violation (Section 2(b)(2)).

Criminal liability and imprisonment: Individuals who submit challenges while knowing or negligently disregarding an individual's eligibility, or who provide false information intended for a challenge, may be fined or imprisoned for up to 6 months (Section 2(b)(2)).