S 2912119th CongressIn Committee

Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2025

Introduced: Sep 18, 2025

Civil Rights & Justice

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

This bill, titled the Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2025, aims to curb deceptive and intimidating practices in federal elections. It broadly prohibits certain false or misleading communications that are intended to suppress or impede voting, especially within 60 days before federal elections. The measure introduces criminal penalties for deceptive acts, creates civil and injunctive remedies, requires corrective information from the Attorney General when false information spreads, and mandates detailed reporting to Congress. It also expands protections against intimidation around voting, registration, and, notably, around tabulation and certification of results. The bill relies on a mix of federal enforcement, private lawsuits, enhanced penalties, and federal corrective messaging to safeguard the integrity of federal elections. Key provisions include a new prohibition on deceptive communications (including AI-generated content) aimed at suppressing votes, criminal penalties for deceptive acts and intimidation, a private right of action for individuals and election officials, a framework for corrective information by the Attorney General, and reporting requirements to Congress. It also expands criminal coverage to intimidation tied to the counting and certification of ballots and results.

Key Points

1Prohibition on deceptive communications regarding federal elections:
2- Applies within 60 days before a federal election and covers false statements intended to impede or prevent voting.
3- Extends to communications that misstate the time, place, manner, or eligibility for voting, including penalties for false information about registration or penalties.
4- Specifically forbids the use of artificial intelligence to generate such false information within the same 60-day window.
5- Broadly targets information that could dissuade people from voting or influence their choices.
6Expanded enforcement and penalties:
7- Criminal penalties added to 18 U.S.C. 594 for deceptive acts, with potential fines and up to 1 year imprisonment.
8- Adds criminal penalties for hindering, interfering with, or preventing voting or registering to vote.
9- Section also reshapes existing penalties to cover elections beyond just “an election.”
10Private rights of action and civil remedies:
11- Allows any person aggrieved by deceptive practices to seek civil relief, including injunctions and attorney’s fees.
12- Also creates the possibility for election officials to bring or participate in actions to enforce prohibitions against intimidation and deception.
13Corrective action by the federal government:
14- If credible reports of deception are received and local/state officials have not adequately corrected misinformation, the Attorney General may issue corrective information to the public.
15- Corrective information must be accurate, objective, and nonpartisan, and should be directed to reach those exposed to false information.
16- The AG must publish written procedures and standards for corrective action, including deadlines and consultations with election officials and civil rights groups.
17Reports to Congress:
18- The Attorney General must submit a public report after each general election detailing allegations of deceptive practices, the status of investigations, corrective actions taken, referrals, and related civil or criminal actions.
19Expanded protections around election administration:
20- Adds a private rights provision for election officials and includes intimidation around polling places as a prosecutable issue.
21- Makes intimidation of the tabulation, canvassing, and certification process a crime under the National Voter Registration Act framework.
22Definitions and scope:
23- Clarifies terms such as “artificial intelligence” and “generative artificial intelligence.”
24- Defines the scope of elections covered (federal general, primary, runoff, or special elections for federal offices).
25Funding:
26- Authorizes appropriations as necessary to carry out these provisions.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected- Voters in federal elections, with particular focus on minority communities and language minority groups targeted by deceptive tactics.- Election officials and poll workers, who face new liability, enforcement mechanisms, and requirements for corrective actions.Secondary group/area affected- Political campaigns, political organizations, and social media/tech platforms, due to AI usage prohibitions and misinformation controls.- Civil rights and voter protection groups, which may participate in reporting, advocacy, and monitoring under the new framework.Additional impacts- Law enforcement and prosecutors, who gain new criminal liabilities and case types (deceptive acts and intimidation near voting and tabulation sites).- The judiciary and sentencing system, which would see updated guidelines from the U.S. Sentencing Commission and potential new caseloads.- Federal and state cooperation in election administration through corrective information campaigns and increased reporting to Congress.

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