New bill sets 72-hour and two-week deadlines for federal vote counts

What does this do?

HR 2694 would require states to count at least 90 percent of ballots within 72 hours of polls closing, then finish counting and officially certify all results within two weeks of Election Day. Both sets of results would have to be made public. Exceptions are allowed for natural disasters, public health emergencies, cyberattacks, equipment failures, recounts, or a first-time rollout of new election procedures, but only if both the Election Assistance Commission and the Attorney General approve the reason.

Who does it affect?

The bill applies to all 50 states, since every state runs federal elections covering congressional and presidential races. Voters who want faster and more uniform election results across the country would be indirectly affected.

Why does it matter?

States that miss deadlines without an approved exception could lose federal funding used to pay for running future elections. A state would have to submit a corrective plan and follow through on it to recover that funding.

What does it cost, and who pays?

• Noncompliance risks federal election funds
• Lost funds tied to a corrective plan
• All 50 states are subject to penalties