Ballots by Election Day Act

The Ballots by Election Day Act would require that all ballots for federal elections—including absentee and mail-in ballots—be received by election officials no later than the close of polls on Election Day to be considered valid and eligible for counting. The bill applies to primaries, runoffs, special elections, and general elections for federal office, with an exception for ballots cast by absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters under federal law. It would take effect for federal elections held in 2027 or later and amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to enforce this deadline, prohibiting states from accepting or tabulating ballots received after polls close.