H.R. 10276, titled the 'Ballots by Election Day Act,' proposes an amendment to the Help America Vote Act of 2002. This amendment would require that all ballots in federal elections—whether cast in person, by mail, or absentee—be received by election officials by the time polls close on Election Day to be counted. The bill includes an exception for ballots from military and overseas voters, allowing their ballots to be counted if received after Election Day. If enacted, this change would take effect for federal elections held in 2027 and beyond.
H.R. 10276 was introduced in the 119th Congress by Laurel Lee (Republican) and is currently listed as “Introduced”. It is classified under the Government Operations and Politics policy area, one of 364 bills in that area we track this Congress.
Laurel Lee is the sponsor of 5 bills in our database this Congress, so H.R. 10276 is part of a broader legislative agenda rather than a one-off proposal.
Our conflict-of-interest analysis rates H.R. 10276 2/10 (low risk), higher than 76% of analyzed bills; the average in Government Operations and Politics is 3/10.
Supporters of H.R. 10276 argue that setting a uniform deadline for ballot receipt will enhance the integrity and efficiency of the electoral process. They believe that requiring all ballots to be received by the close of polls on Election Day will reduce the potential for disputes over late-arriving ballots and expedite the counting process, leading to quicker election results. Proponents also contend that this measure will standardize election procedures across states, providing clarity and consistency for voters and election officials alike.
Critics of H.R. 10276 express concern that the bill could disenfranchise voters who rely on mail-in and absentee voting, particularly those in rural areas or with limited access to polling places. They argue that unforeseen delays in mail delivery could prevent ballots from arriving by Election Day, effectively nullifying votes that were cast on time. Opponents also point out that the bill's exception for military and overseas voters highlights a disparity, potentially creating unequal voting rights among different groups of citizens. Additionally, they worry that the proposed change could disproportionately affect marginalized communities who may face greater challenges in accessing in-person voting options.
The analysis of H.R. 10276, sponsored by Laurel Lee, reveals no direct industry overlaps between the bill's subject matter and the sponsor's top donor industries. This indicates a low likelihood of conflicts of interest arising from financial contributions. The bill aims to amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002, focusing on election integrity by requiring ballots to be received by the close of polls on election day. Given that the sponsor's top donors do not operate in sectors directly related to election processes or voting technologies, the potential for undue influence from donors is minimal. Voters should be aware that while campaign contributions can sometimes lead to conflicts, in this case, the absence of relevant donor industries suggests a lower risk of bias in the legislative intent.
Top industries funding Laurel Lee, ranked by total contributions.
Source: OpenSecrets.org (Center for Responsive Politics)
What does H.R. 10276 do?
H.R. 10276, titled the 'Ballots by Election Day Act,' proposes an amendment to the Help America Vote Act of 2002. This amendment would require that all ballots in federal elections—whether cast in person, by mail, or absentee—be received by election officials by the time polls close on Election Day to be counted. The bill includes an exception for ballots from military and overseas voters,…
Has H.R. 10276 received a floor vote?
No roll-call vote on H.R. 10276 is recorded in our database yet. Its current status is “Introduced”.
Does H.R. 10276 have a conflict of interest?
Our conflict-of-interest analysis rates H.R. 10276 2/10 (low risk), higher than 76% of analyzed bills; the average in Government Operations and Politics is 3/10. This score reflects overlap between the sponsor’s campaign funding, lobbying activity, and the industries the bill affects. It is a transparency indicator, not an accusation.
What is the status of H.R. 10276?
H.R. 10276 is currently “Introduced” as of our last update on September 11, 2026.
Who sponsored H.R. 10276?
H.R. 10276 was sponsored by Laurel Lee (Republican).
