The CHALLENGES Act amends federal voting law to protect registered voters from what the bill calls "bad faith" challenges to their voter registration status. The legislation sets strict requirements for submitting such challenges, including requiring clear and convincing evidence of ineligibility, sworn statements under penalty of perjury, and that the challenger must be registered in the same voting jurisdiction. The bill creates legal remedies for voters whose registration is challenged improperly, allowing them to sue for compensatory damages plus up to $1,000 in punitive damages per violation, and establishes criminal penalties of up to six months in prison and fines for those who knowingly submit false challenges or spread false information intended to trigger challenges. Election officials operating online challenge portals must reject anonymous challenges and display information about these new protections. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.
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