Vote Without Fear Act

Christopher Murphy

Democrat · CT · Senator

Source: Congress.gov · FEC

• Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH)Original· 2026-03-17

Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

2026-03-17

Source: Congress.gov

Vote Without Fear Act This bill establishes new federal criminal offenses for possessing a firearm or causing a firearm to be present in or within 100 yards of a federal election site.

Plain-English rewrite of the Congressional Research Service summary published on Congress.gov. Cached and reviewed.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [S. 4121 Introduced in Senate (IS)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 4121 To prohibit the unauthorized possession of a firearm at a Federal election site. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 17, 2026 Mr. Murphy (for himself and Mrs. Shaheen) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To prohibit the unauthorized possession of a firearm at a Federal election site. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Vote Without Fear Act''. SEC. 2. PROHIBITION ON UNAUTHORIZED FIREARM POSSESSION AT A FEDERAL ELECTION SITE. (a) In General.--Chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: ``Sec. 935. Prohibition on unauthorized firearm possession at a Federal election site ``(a) Definition.--In this section, the term `Federal election site' means a building or any part thereof at which an employee of the United States, a State, or a political subdivision thereof is engaged in-- ``(1) the administration of a polling place in an election for Federal office; or ``(2) the processing or counting of ballots cast in such an election. ``(b) Possession of Firearm Near Federal Election Site.-- ``(1) Offense.-- ``(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B), it shall be unlawful for an individual to knowingly possess or cause to be present a firearm in, or within 100 yards of an entrance to, a place that the individual knows, or has reasonable cause to believe, is a Federal election site. ``(B) Exceptions.--Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to-- ``(i) the possession of a firearm by a law enforcement officer employed by the United States, a State, or a political subdivision thereof, or a private security guard hired or arranged for by the owner or manager of a building in which there is a Federal election site, who is authorized by law to possess a firearm and who is on duty; ``(ii) the possession of a firearm in a vehicle within 100 yards of an entrance to a Federal election site, if the firearm is not removed from the vehicle or brandished while the vehicle is in, or within 100 yards of the entrance to, the Federal election site; or ``(iii) the otherwise lawful possession of a firearm in a place of residence, in a place of business, or on private property, in or within 100 yards of an entrance to a Federal election site. ``(2) Penalty.--Any individual who violates paragraph (1), or attempts to do so, shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both. ``(c) Possession of Firearm Near Federal Election Site With Intent for Use in Crime.-- ``(1) Offense.--It shall be unlawful for an individual, with intent that a firearm be used in the commission of a crime, to knowingly possess or cause to be present the firearm in, or within 100 yards of an entrance to, a place that the individual knows, or has reasonable cause to believe, is a Federal election site. ``(2) Penalty.--Any individual who violates paragraph (1), or attempts to do so, shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both. ``(d) Homicide.--An individual who kills any other individual in the course of a violation of subsection (b) or (c), or in the course of an attack on a Federal election site involving the use of a firearm, or attempts or…

conspires to do so, shall be punished as provided in-- ``(1) section 1111, in the case of murder (as defined in that section); ``(2) section 1112, in the case of manslaughter (as defined in that section); ``(3) section 1113, in the case of attempt to commit murder or manslaughter (as those terms are so defined); or ``(4) section 1117, in the case of conspiracy to commit murder (as so defined).''. (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: ``935. Prohibition on unauthorized firearm possession at a Federal election site.''. <all>

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