H.R. 9890: Polling Place Standards Act

This bill would set new federal standards for the number and location of polling places used in elections for federal office.

What states and local officials would have to do

• Start preparing at least 30 days before the voting period begins.
• Ensure there is at least 1 covered polling place or vote center for every 2,000 registered voters in the state during the voting period.
• Make sure polling places and vote centers are spread across the state rather than clustered in one area.
• Provide enough staff at each required polling place or vote center so that:
  • ballots are processed in a timely way,
  • equipment and ballots are handled safely and securely,
  • accessibility requirements are met.

How staffing would be judged

When deciding whether a polling place is adequately staffed, officials would need to consider:

• how many registered voters are in the precinct,
• how many check-in stations are available, including stations for collecting ballots and verifying voter identity,
• how many electronic ballot-marking or submission machines are available, if any,
• how many ballot-scanning machines are available,
• the accessibility needs of voters in the precinct, and
• whether the wait time to vote is 30 minutes or less.

Definitions in the bill

• Covered polling place: a polling place that accepts ballots only from voters in a particular precinct.
• Vote center: a polling place that accepts ballots from any voter in the state or jurisdiction, regardless of precinct.

Exception to the new polling-place rules

The minimum polling-place and location rules would not apply if a state already allows every voter to cast a ballot by drop box or mail, or if a local jurisdiction within the state is allowed to do so for all of its voters.

Federal grants

The bill would create a grant program under which the federal Election Assistance Commission would give money to states to help them meet these polling place standards. The Commission could also hire staff to run the program.

Funding

The bill authorizes whatever money is needed to carry out these provisions.

Relevant Companies

None found.