The CHALLENGES Act would amend the National Voter Registration Act to limit formal challenges to people registered to vote in federal elections. A challenger generally would need clear and convincing evidence based on an inquiry into that person's registration, an oath or statement under penalty of perjury based on personal knowledge, and—if the challenger is an individual—registration in the same registrar's jurisdiction. Evidence from mass computerized data matching would not qualify. Online challenge portals would have to reject submissions that omit the challenger's name and explain the limits on challenges. A person harmed by a violation could sue without first giving notice to the state's chief election official and could seek certain damages. The bill also sets criminal penalties for specified false challenges or knowingly providing false information to support one.
If you are registered to vote in a federal election, the bill would set stricter requirements for formal challenges to your registration. If you are harmed by a violation, you could bring a civil action and seek compensation for losses caused by it, along with punitive damages capped at $1,000 per violation. The changes would apply to challenges made after enactment.
The bill does not specify government implementation costs. It allows claims for compensatory damages for losses caused by a violation and punitive damages of up to $1,000 per violation. It also provides for criminal fines and up to six months in prison; for an organization, the fine would be $10,000 per violation.
No publicly available information.
No publicly available information.