H.R. 9306: Hands Off Elections Act of 2026

This bill would limit what most federal executive branch employees can do in the administration of elections for federal office.

What the bill would prohibit

Federal employees would generally be barred from taking part in, or telling another employee to take part in, running federal elections unless they are specifically allowed to do so under existing federal law. The bill points to several laws that already authorize some federal involvement, including:

• The Help America Vote Act of 2002
• The National Voter Registration Act of 1993
• The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act
• A provision of title 10 of the U.S. Code related to military voting

The bill also allows federal employees to be involved in election administration if they are not acting in their role as federal employees.

What would still be allowed

The bill says it should not be read to stop federal employees from helping with cybersecurity measures that protect voting systems. It also does not apply to the U.S. Postal Service in the definition of “Executive agency.”

Enforcement

State chief law enforcement officers would be able to sue in federal court to stop a violation of this rule through an injunction. That means a state could ask a court to order the federal employee or agency to stop the prohibited conduct.

Practical effect

In plain terms, the bill would try to keep most federal executive branch workers from getting involved in how elections are run, unless another federal law specifically permits their role. It would still allow certain existing federal responsibilities and cybersecurity support, but would narrow federal participation in election administration more generally.

Relevant Companies

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