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H.R.4276 / 115th Congress

Safeguarding Election Infrastructure Act of 2017

Referred to the Subcommittee on Research and Technology.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Nov 7, 2017

Safeguarding Election Infrastructure Act of 2017

This bill requires voting systems for federal elections to produce paper ballots that the voter may inspect and verify before the vote is cast and counted. The bill also requires (1) the paper ballot to be suitable for manual audits, (2) each state to audit federal election results by administering hand counts of paper ballots at randomly selected precincts, and (3) the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to report to Congress and the affected state if DHS believes a state's voter-registration database or voting system has been breached.

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Who introduced it

Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-12] · D–MI

Committees

  • Science, Space, and Technology Committee
  • Committee on House Administration
10 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Referred to the Subcommittee on Research and Technology.

  2. Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  3. Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  4. Introduced in House

  5. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Aug 11, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.4276 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.4276 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.4276 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.4276 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

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