Bill · S. 4849· Senate(119-S-4849)
State and Local Election Security Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 6/22/2026
- Last activity
- 6/22/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
- Sponsored by
- Alex Padilla
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The State and Local Election Security Act of 2026 aims to authorize funding for election security grants over three fiscal years. This bill establishes an Election Security Grant Program to provide payments to States and local governments. These funds are intended to modernize election infrastructure, improve efficiency, and respond to security threats. The legislation also includes provisions for election information sharing via the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Additionally, it updates the treatment of certain territories under the Help America Vote Act of 2002.
Yes· 3 of 7
Does this make elections run better?+8
The bill provides direct funding to modernize and secure the administration of federal elections.
Does this better protect the country from computer attacks?+7
The bill funds the Elections Infrastructure Information Sharing and Analysis Center to combat security threats.
Does this protect the right to vote?+6
The bill funds modernization and security of election infrastructure to protect voting integrity.
The opposite
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-1
The bill authorizes billions in new federal spending for election security grants.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Election Administration: States and local governments can use payments to modernize election infrastructure, improve efficiency, and prepare for or respond to election security threats (Section 3, Sec. 1001(b)(1)).
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Support for Local Governments: The bill requires States to distribute a significant portion of their payments to local election administrators (Section 3, Sec. 1002(a)(1)).
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Enhanced Information Sharing: Funding is authorized for the Center for Internet Security to carry out the Elections Infrastructure Information Sharing and Analysis Center (Section 5).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Restrictions on Fund Usage: States and local governments are prohibited from using these specific funds to pay for certain litigation costs or any legal judgments (Section 3, Sec. 1001(b)(2)).
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Requirement to Return Funds: If a State does not use its allocated funds within five years, those unobligated funds must be returned to the Treasury (Section 3, Sec. 1003(c)(1)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Voting Rights+6Improves Voting Access+5
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Electoral Process+8
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Cybersecurity Defense+7
- Education And Technology
- Improves Data Privacy+3
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Rural Residents+1Good For Urban Residents+1
- Economy And Finance
- Reduces Government Spending-1
- 6/22/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Adam SchiffDemocrat · California