H.R. 10699: Dropbox Access Act (119th Congress) Bill Summary

This bill would require each state to provide secured, in-person drop boxes in every county where voters can return completed absentee ballots for federal elections. The boxes would have to be clearly labeled and available for use starting 45 days before an election until the polls close on election day in that county.

What states would have to do

Provide at least one drop box in every county.
In counties with at least 20,000 registered voters, provide about one drop box for every 20,000 registered voters, rounded to the nearest whole number.
Make sure the drop boxes are secure, in-person, and accessible to voters with disabilities and to people with limited English proficiency.
Place the boxes so they are available on a non-discriminatory basis, reachable by public transportation to the greatest extent possible, available 24 hours a day, and present in all parts of the county, including rural areas and Tribal lands.
For drop boxes on Tribal lands, state and local election officials would have to consult with Tribal leaders and consider local travel conditions, weather, road access, transportation options, and whether mail delivery is available.
Post information near each drop box explaining the rules absentee ballots must meet to be counted.

Accessibility requirements

The bill says drop boxes must be usable by people with disabilities and by people who have limited English proficiency. It also says that if a drop box is placed in or near a polling place, that does not remove any existing accessibility requirements for that polling place.

Enforcement and timing

The bill would add these new drop-box rules to the federal election law framework already used under the Help America Vote Act. It would apply starting with the regularly scheduled November 2026 federal general election and every federal election after that.