What Happened?

The rules governing how Americans vote, donate to campaigns, and choose their president now have a clearer roadmap. The Congressional Research Service (CRS), the nonpartisan research arm of Congress, published "Election and Voting Law: Resources for Congressional Offices," a guide to the laws, court cases, pending legislation, and federal agencies that shape election and voting law. ​

It points congressional staff toward primary sources for each subject area, from voting rights enforcement to campaign finance rules to presidential election procedures.

Why Does it Matter to Me?

Federal election law draws on the U.S. Constitution, federal and state laws, regulations, and court cases. Often, lawmakers field calls from constituents asking about voting. This guide is designed for clarity.

A Congressional Research Service (CRS) guide says three federal agencies anchor the system of federal election law:

  • The Federal Election Commission (FEC) was created by Congress in 1975 to administer and enforce the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA).
  • The Department of Justice Voting Section enforces civil provisions of the Voting Rights Act, the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, and the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA).
  • The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC), an independent bipartisan body established by the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA), administers grant programs, oversees voting-system testing and certification, and issues guidance to election officials.

The CRS guide also covers the Executive Order on Elections, including court challenges, mail-in ballot requirements, federal access to state election databases, and voting system requirements.

Both Sides, Now

The CRS report itself takes no position on any election policy question.

Federal courts have invalidated portions of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 (BCRA).

Congress created the Federal Election Commission (FEC) in 1975 to administer and enforce the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA). The Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA) established the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC).

What Happens Next?

A Congressional Research Service (CRS) legal sidebar addresses pending Supreme Court cases on redistricting, campaign finance, and mail-in ballots in 2026.

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