H.R. 4894 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on the Judiciary, Aug 5, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryBlocks deceptive voting information before elections
This bill makes it illegal to spread false information about voting within 60 days before a federal election if you're trying to stop someone from voting. It also targets the use of artificial intelligence to create fake voting information for the same purpose. The bill prevents intimidation related to voting, ballot processing, and vote counting, and lets people who are harmed take legal action. If the Department of Justice finds that false election information is spreading and local officials haven't corrected it, the DOJ must share accurate information to set the record straight.
How it affects you
This affects you if you vote in federal elections. The law protects you from being misled about how, when, or where to vote, and shields you from intimidation related to voting or registering. If someone tries to spread false voting information to prevent you from casting a ballot, they could face criminal penalties. The bill also protects election workers involved in processing ballots and counting votes from intimidation.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Aug 5, 2025)
Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2025
This bill generally prohibits deceptive communications and voter interference regarding federal elections.
Specifically, the bill prohibits any person, within 60 days before a federal election, from communicating, causing to be communicated, or producing for communication certain information on voting, if the person (1) knows such information to be materially false, and (2) has the intent to impede or prevent another person from voting in an election.
Additionally, the bill prohibits any person, within 60 days before a federal election, from using an artificial intelligence system to produce certain information on voting, if the person has the intent to use the system to (1) produce false information, and (2) impede or prevent another person from voting in an election.
The bill also prohibits hindering, interfering with, or preventing voting or registering to vote.
A private right of action for preventive relief is established for persons aggrieved by violations of these prohibitions.
Criminal penalties are also established for violations.
If the Department of Justice (DOJ) receives a credible report that materially false information has been or is being communicated in violation of the prohibitions on deceptive communications, and state and local election officials have not adequately communicated corrected information, then DOJ must communicate to the public accurate information designed to correct the materially false information.
The bill extends the prohibition on certain types of intimidation in federal elections to also prohibit intimidation for processing ballots or tabulating, canvassing, or certifying votes.
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. 4894
A BILL
Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2025
Sponsor: Rep. Jennifer L. McClellan (D-VA-4) · Introduced Aug 5, 2025 · Government Operations and Politics · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Aug 5, 2025: “Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.”
Sections
Sections · 7
- Sec. 1Short titleNo change
- Sec. 2FindingsNo change
- Sec. 3Prohibition on deceptive communications regarding Federal electionsNo change
- Sec. 4Corrective actionNo change
- Sec. 5Reports to CongressNo change
- Sec. 6Private rights of action by election officialsNo change
- Sec. 7Making intimidation of tabulation, canvass, and certification efforts a crimeNo change