# Election Security Act of 2024
This bill strengthens election security by requiring paper ballots and implementing new cybersecurity standards for voting systems nationwide. The legislation mandates that all voting systems used in federal elections produce individual, durable, voter-verifiable paper ballots that voters mark and review before casting. These paper ballots become the official record for any recounts or audits, with provisions allowing hand counts when electronic tallies don't match manual counts.
The bill requires states to comply with new voting system standards by the 2026 federal election, though states already using certain compliant paper ballot systems can continue until replacement. Starting in 2026, states must also conduct post-election audits of at least one statewide federal contest, expanding to audit all federal contests by 2034. The legislation prohibits voting machines from using wireless communications or internet connections and requires machines to be manufactured and assembled in the United States.
To help states upgrade their systems, the bill authorizes $2.4 billion in federal grants for fiscal year 2026 and $175 million annually for 2028, 2030, and 2032. States must use at least 10 percent of grant funds to purchase accessible voting systems for people with disabilities. The bill also establishes $10 million in research grants to develop improved accessible and remote voting options and requires election infrastructure vendors to meet strict cybersecurity standards and report any security breaches within three days.