H.R. 2694 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on House Administration, Apr 7, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summarySets deadlines for counting and certifying election results
This bill tells states they need to count at least 90% of ballots within three days of an election and publicly announce those numbers. Then states have two weeks total to finish counting everything and officially certify the final results. There are exceptions for real emergencies like natural disasters or broken voting machines.
How it affects you
If you vote in a federal election, this bill could mean you find out results faster than you might now. States that don't meet these deadlines could lose federal money for running elections, though they can get that funding back by submitting a plan to fix their process and getting approval from federal election officials.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Apr 7, 2025)
Election Results Accountability Act
This bill establishes deadlines for states to count ballots and certify results in federal elections.
Specifically, the bill requires a state to count not less than 90% of the ballots cast in a federal election held in the state not later than 72 hours after polls close and make the result of the count publicly available. Further, the state must certify and make publicly available the complete election results not later than two weeks after the election.
The bill provides exceptions to these deadlines, including for bona fide emergencies (e.g., major disasters) or technical difficulties (e.g., malfunctioning election equipment or software).
The bill prohibits a state from receiving federal election administration funds for subsequent elections if the state does not comply with the deadlines established by the bill. However, a state may regain eligibility for these funds if (1) the state submits a compliance plan to the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) and the Department of Justice (DOJ), and (2) the EAC and DOJ each certify that the state has taken actions to comply with the plan.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 2694
A BILL
Election Results Accountability Act
Sponsor: Rep. Jay Obernolte (R-CA-23) · Introduced Apr 7, 2025 · Government Operations and Politics · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Apr 7, 2025: “Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.”