Countering Harassment and Applying Legal Liability to Effectively Nurture Government Election Stability Act; CHALLENGES Act
Summary
The "Countering Harassment and Applying Legal Liability to Effectively Nurture Government Election Stability Act" (CHALLENGES Act) aims to amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993. It seeks to protect lawfully registered voters from bad-faith challenges to their registration status. The bill introduces stricter requirements for challenging voter registration, including providing clear evidence and attestation under penalty of perjury.
Expected Effects
The CHALLENGES Act will likely reduce frivolous challenges to voter registration. It introduces both civil and criminal penalties for those who knowingly submit false challenges. This could lead to increased confidence in the integrity of the voter rolls and reduce voter suppression efforts.
Potential Benefits
- Protects registered voters from harassment through bad-faith challenges.
- Requires clear and convincing evidence for voter registration challenges.
- Establishes penalties for knowingly submitting false information.
- Provides a private right of action for aggrieved individuals.
- Enhances the integrity of voter registration processes.
Potential Disadvantages
- Could potentially create barriers for legitimate challenges to ineligible voters.
- May lead to increased litigation related to voter registration challenges.
- Could place additional burdens on election officials to verify challenges.
- The $1,000 punitive damage cap may be insufficient to deter large-scale coordinated challenges.
- Enforcement may be challenging, requiring proof of intent and knowledge of ineligibility.
Constitutional Alignment
The CHALLENGES Act aligns with the Constitution by reinforcing the right to vote, as protected by the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments. It aims to prevent undue burdens on this right by setting standards for voter challenges. The bill's provisions for penalties are consistent with Congress's power to enforce these amendments through appropriate legislation.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).