Rep. Laurel Lee Introduces Ballots by Election Day Act to Establish Clear Deadline for Federal Elections

September 3, 2026 Press Release WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Laurel Lee (FL-15), Chairwoman of the House Administration Subcommittee on Elections and former Florida Secretary of State, introduced the Ballots by Election Day Act, legislation establishing a clear, uniform standard that ballots cast in federal elections must be received by the close of polls on Election Day in order to be counted. The legislation is the House companion to legislation introduced by Senator Ashley Moody (R-FL). It would require absentee and mail-in ballots in federal elections to be received by the close of polls on Election Day, while preserving existing protections for military and overseas voters under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA). The requirement would take effect beginning with federal elections held in 2027. As Florida’s former Secretary of State, Rep. Lee served as the state’s chief election officer and oversaw the administration of Florida’s elections. Florida already requires most vote-by-mail ballots to be received by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day in order to be counted. The Ballots by Election Day Act would bring that same basic principle to federal elections nationwide: voters should know the deadline, election officials should know the rules, and Election Day should mark the end of voting. “Having served as Florida’s Secretary of State and overseen elections across our state, I have seen firsthand that clear rules, firm deadlines, and consistent election administration work,” said Rep. Laurel Lee. “Florida has shown that we can provide voters with accessible ways to cast their ballots while maintaining a clear deadline for when those ballots must be received. Election Day should mean election results. When the polls close, voters should have confidence that the voting is over and election officials can move forward with determining the results. The Ballots by Election Day Act applies that commonsense standard to federal elections across the country and provides greater certainty for voters, election officials, and the American people.” The Ballots by Election Day Act is a simple fix to rebuild trust in elections. The fact that some states allow ballots to pour in for days after an election is absurd.  Passing our Ballots by Election Day Act would deliver results before bed,” said Senator Ashley Moody. “I’m happy to see my friend and colleague, Representative Laurel Lee, join me in this fight to bring Florida’s blueprint for elections nationwide. BACKGROUND: The Ballots by Election Day Act follows the Supreme Court’s decision in Watson v. Republican National Committee, which determined that current federal law does not establish a nationwide deadline for receiving mail ballots and left the issue for Congress to address. This bill establishes a clear deadline for when ballots cast for federal office must be received. It provides voters with consistent rules and certainty about when their ballots are due, regardless of where they live. The approach is modeled after Florida, where most vote-by-mail ballots must be received by the close of polls on Election Day. The Ballots by Election Day Act would: Require absentee and mail-in ballots cast for federal office to be received by the close of polls on Election Day to be counted. Preserve states’ responsibility for administering their elections. Preserve existing protections and accommodations for military and overseas voters under UOCAVA. Apply beginning with federal elections held in 2027.