This bill aims to protect the integrity of federal elections by preventing state officials from arbitrarily firing local election workers and by tightening rules around voter eligibility challenges.

The first major part addresses how local election administrators can be removed from their jobs. Currently, some states allow politically appointed state election boards to fire local election officials for almost any reason they deem a "violation." This bill changes that by saying state officials can only remove local election workers for three specific reasons: inefficiency, neglect of duty, or actual misconduct in office. If a local election official is fired in violation of these rules, they can sue in federal court to get their job back, and the federal government can step in to defend them. State officials must also report any removals to the federal Department of Justice within 30 days (or 48 hours if it happens close to an election), including details about why the person was fired and how it affects voters.

The second part restricts who can challenge whether someone is eligible to vote. Currently, private citizens can challenge voters' eligibility, sometimes leading to confusion and delays at polling places. This bill says only election officials can challenge voter eligibility on election day itself. For challenges made before election day, ordinary citizens must have personal, documented knowledge of a specific reason someone shouldn't vote, must put it in writing, and must swear under penalty of perjury that they have a good faith basis for the challenge. Importantly, challenges based on someone's race, ethnicity, national origin, or language background are not allowed. These new rules apply to federal elections starting in 2024.

Preventing Election Subversion Act of 2023

Warnock, Raphael G.

Preventing Election Subversion Act of 2023This bill prohibits the removal or suspension of local election administrators except for specified reasons and sets forth additional requirements for federal elections.Specifically, the bill restricts the ability of a statewide election administrator to remove a local election administrator. A statewide election administrator may suspend, remove, or relieve the duties of a local election administrator only for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance while in office.Further, the bill directs statewide election administrators to report any removals or suspensions of local election administrators to the Department of Justice.The bill also establishes certain requirements for challenging an individual's eligibility to register to vote or vote in federal elections. In particular, the bill prohibits any person (other than an election official) from challenging an individual's voting eligibility unless the challenge is supported by personal knowledge. &nbsp;