119th (2025–2027)
H.R. 9577
The COCOA-VIP Act clarifies that congressional election observers have the right to monitor primary elections for federal office, not just general elections. Under the bill, the term "election for federal office" in the Help America Vote Act of 2002 is expanded to explicitly include primary elections, special elections, and runoff elections where candidates for Senate or House of Representatives appear on the ballot. This change affects poll watchers and election observers who monitor elections to ensure integrity and compliance with voting procedures. The bill does not require states or political parties to provide observer access to party conventions, caucuses, or other nomination processes that do not use ballots. The legislation contains no specified funding or implementation timeline beyond amending the existing Help America Vote Act.