# Plain Language Summary: District of Columbia Election Fraud Prevention Act

This bill would restrict who can collect and deliver mail-in ballots in Washington, D.C. elections. Right now, various people can pick up and deliver someone else's ballot—like volunteers working for campaigns or community organizations. This bill would ban that practice, with only a few exceptions. The only people allowed to collect and deliver someone else's ballot would be election officials doing their jobs, postal workers, family members, household members, or caregivers of the person who received the ballot.

The practical effect is that it would eliminate ballot collection drives and similar programs that help people vote by mail. Organizations that currently go door-to-door or to community centers to collect completed ballots would no longer be able to do so. This could make it harder for some voters—particularly elderly people, people with disabilities, and those without reliable transportation—to return their mail-in ballots. These voters would need to mail their ballots themselves or have a family member, roommate, or caregiver deliver them instead.

The bill applies only to D.C. elections, which includes local elections for mayor and city council, as well as federal elections held in the district and any ballot measures. The bill also adds enforcement provisions to existing election law, meaning violations could result in legal penalties. Supporters argue this prevents potential ballot tampering, while critics contend it makes voting less convenient for vulnerable populations who rely on community ballot collection services.

American Confidence in Elections: District of Columbia Election Fraud Prevention Act

Grothman, Glenn

American Confidence in Elections: District of Columbia Election Fraud Prevention ActThis bill prohibits the collection and transmission of a ballot for a District of Columbia election by a person other than the person to whom it was mailed, with limited exceptions.Exceptions exist for (1) election officials performing their official duties; (2) U.S. Postal Service employees and other individuals engaged in official duties to collect or transmit U.S. mail; and (3) a family member, household member, or caregiver of the person to whom the ballot was mailed.