Ballots by Election Day Act
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (3 Sep 2026): Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
What this bill does
H.R. 10276, the "Ballots by Election Day Act," would amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to establish a nationwide deadline for ballots cast in federal elections. Under the bill, all ballots—including absentee and mail-in ballots—would have to be received by election officials no later than the close of polls on election day in order to be counted. States would be prohibited from tabulating any ballot received after that deadline. An exception is included for ballots cast by absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters, who would remain subject to existing rules under separate federal law. The new deadline would apply to federal elections held in 2027 and beyond, and would be enforceable through the Help America Vote Act's existing enforcement provisions.
The bill would primarily affect state and local election administrators, who currently have varying rules on whether mailed ballots postmarked by election day but received afterward can be counted; those states would need to adjust procedures to meet the new receipt deadline. Voters who rely on mail-in or absentee ballots, aside from military and overseas voters, could also be affected if their ballots would otherwise have been accepted after election day under current state law.
The bill was introduced on September 3, 2026, by Rep. Laurel Lee of Florida and referred to the House Committee on House Administration. As an introduced bill, it would need committee consideration and votes in both the House and Senate, followed by presidential signature, before becoming law.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Timeline
3 Sep 2026
Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 10276 do?
- H.R. 10276, the "Ballots by Election Day Act," would amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to establish a nationwide deadline for ballots cast in federal elections. Under the bill, all ballots—including absentee and mail-in ballots—would have to be received by election officials no later than the close of polls on election day in order to be counted. States would be prohibited from tabulating any ballot received after that deadline. An exception is included for ballots cast by absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters, who would remain subject to existing rules under separate federal law. The new deadline would apply to federal elections held in 2027 and beyond, and would be enforceable through the Help America Vote Act's existing enforcement provisions. The bill would primarily affect state and local election administrators, who currently have varying rules on whether mailed ballots postmarked by election day but received afterward can be counted; those states would need to adjust procedures to meet the new receipt deadline. Voters who rely on mail-in or absentee ballots, aside from military and overseas voters, could also be affected if their ballots would otherwise have been accepted after election day under current state law. The bill was introduced on September 3, 2026, by Rep. Laurel Lee of Florida and referred to the House Committee on House Administration. As an introduced bill, it would need committee consideration and votes in both the House and Senate, followed by presidential signature, before becoming law.
- Has H.R. 10276 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 10276. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 10276?
- H.R. 10276 was sponsored by Rep. Lee, Laurel M. [R-FL-15] (R-FL), with 0 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 10276?
- Referred to the House Committee on House Administration. (3 Sep 2026).
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