Edwards introduces legislation to protect integrity of federal elections

Congressman Chuck Edwards (NC-11) today introduced the No Federal Funds for Ballot Harvesting Act, which will be considered as part of the omnibus American Confidence in Elections (ACE) Act legislation.

The No Federal Funds for Ballot Harvesting Act will prevent federal money from being used for a federal election in a state that does not prohibit ballot harvesting.

This legislation allows for four exemptions for categories of people who can collect and transmit ballots on a voter’s behalf:

• An election official while performing official duties as authorized by law.
• An employee of the United States Postal Service or other common commercial carrier performing similar responsibilities as authorized by law.
• Any other individual who is legally allowed to collect and transmit United States mail while performing official duties as authorized by law.
• A family member, household member, or caregiver of the voter to whom the ballot was mailed.

Edwards issued the following statement:

“Many Americans have lost faith in the bedrock of our democracy – our elections – and one reason is ballot harvesting. We’ve seen this abuse in North Carolina in 2016 and 2018, and it continues to threaten the integrity of our local, state and national elections. I’m introducing the No Federal Funds for Ballot Harvesting Act to make sure America’s electoral process remains fair and honest.”

Chairman Bryan Steil (WI-01) of the Committee on House Administration, sponsor of the ACE Act, offered the following statement:

“Ballot harvesting weakens our ability to securely administer our elections. The American Confidence in Elections Act will end this practice to ensure we are making it easy to vote and hard to cheat. I thank Congressman Chuck Edwards for leading the No Federal Funds for Ballot Harvesting Act that will help ensure our elections are free, fair, and secure.”