Congresswoman Laurel Lee (R-Fla.) announced she will be introducing a companion bill to Sen. Ashley Moody’s (R-Fla.) recent mail-in ballot legislation.
The “Ballots by Election Day Act” – originally introduced by Sen. Moody on July 15, 2026 – seeks to amend the “Help America Vote Act of 2002.”
“This is something that we’ve done in Florida for many years, and it’s a really effective way of making sure that elections stay organized and that we have timely election results,” Rep. Lee said.
The Bill's Function
The legislation would require all federal election ballots – including absentee and mail-in ballots – to be received by the appropriate election official by the end of the day on Election Day.
The bill would prohibit states from accepting any ballots after the allotted time, except for ballots cast by “absent uniformed services voter or overseas voters.”
The legislation’s effective date would apply to federal elections held in 2027 and onward.
“Florida is proof-positive that this works, that it does not deny any voter the right to vote,” the former Florida Secretary of State affirmed. “Our job as elected officials or as election officials throughout the states is just to make sure that voters know the deadlines, that they know the rules, and tell them, ‘Your ballot has to be received.’”
Bill Aligns With President Trump's Election Integrity Executive Order
Rep. Lee and Sen. Moody’s efforts support President Donald Trump’s Mar. 2025 “Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections” Executive Order (EO).
Under the order, President Trump directed the Election Assistance Commission to condition any state funding on whether standards are placed on what counts as a vote.
Election Day deadlines for all forms of voting are considered part of the standards in the order.
Lee Affirms Mail-In Voting Will Not Be Undermined
Despite concerns from millions of Americans who vote by mail over adverse effects, Rep. Lee assured that the bill will not obstruct their ability to continue voting by mail.
“One thing that’s important to understand about this bill is that it doesn’t limit voting by mail. It simply says that for state who allow mail voting, ballots must be received by Election Day,” Rep. Lee asserted.
