# Plain Language Summary: People Over Long Lines Act (POLL Act)

This bill tackles a real problem that frustrates voters across the country: waiting hours in line to cast a ballot. The bill sets a clear goal: no one should have to wait more than 30 minutes to vote in federal elections. It's based on research showing that voters in predominantly Black neighborhoods wait significantly longer than voters in white neighborhoods—about 29 percent longer on average—and are much more likely to wait over half an hour. The bill recognizes that long lines don't just waste people's time; they actually discourage people from voting, with studies suggesting that between 500,000 and 700,000 people didn't vote in 2012 because of excessive wait times.

Here's what the bill actually requires: Before each federal election, every state must create and publicly share a written plan explaining how it will keep wait times under 30 minutes at every polling place and ensure fair wait times across all communities. States have to let the public review and comment on these plans before finalizing them. After each election, the federal Election Assistance Commission will review how long people actually waited and publish a report. If a jurisdiction has substantial numbers of voters waiting more than 60 minutes, the Commission can impose a remedial plan to fix the problem—which might include adding more voting machines, hiring more poll workers, or opening additional polling locations.

The bill also gives voters legal protection. If you wait longer than 30 minutes to vote, you can sue in federal court. If a court finds a violation, you'd receive compensation: $50 base payment plus an additional $50 for each extra hour you waited, plus attorney fees. If the court determines the long wait was intentional vote suppression or reckless disregard for the rules, the penalties increase to $650 base plus $150 per additional hour. Additionally, if voting equipment breaks down and causes delays, voters must be immediately informed of their right to use emergency paper ballots, which would be counted the same as regular ballots. The bill requires states to have minimum numbers of voting machines and poll workers at each voting site based on standards the Election Assistance Commission will establish.

People Over Long Lines Act (POLL Act)

People Over Long Lines Act (POLL Act) This bill sets forth provisions related to voting and the administration of federal elections. Specifically, the bill requires states to ensure that voters wait no more than 30 minutes at any polling place to cast their vote in a federal election, establishes a private right of action for voters who experience longer waiting times, and directs the Election Assistance Commission to make payments to eligible states to prevent unreasonable waiting times. Next, the bill requires each state to provide for the minimum required number of voting systems, poll workers, and other election resources for each polling location on the day of any federal election and each day of early voting. The Department of Justice must issue uniform standards regarding the minimum number and distribution of such systems, workers, and other resources. The bill also prohibits a chief state election administration official from taking an active part in political management or in a political campaign with respect to any federal election over which the official has supervisory authority, with certain exceptions.