H.R. 4894: Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2025
Sponsor
Jennifer McClellan
Democrat · VA-4
Bill Progress
Latest Action · Aug 5, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Why it matters
In January 2024, an AI-generated deepfake of President Biden called 5,000+ New Hampshire voters telling them not to vote in the primary — it cost just $150 to create. The FCC issued a $6 million fine, and criminal charges were filed in four counties. Current federal law has no specific prohibition against this kind of targeted voter deception.
The bill's own findings section reads like a timeline of voter suppression in America. In 1990, thousands of African American voters received postcards with false eligibility warnings and threats of criminal penalties. In 2006, Latino voters received Spanish-language mailers warning that immigrants who voted would be jailed — even though naturalized citizens have every right to vote. In 2008, flyers circulated in Black neighborhoods claiming people with outstanding warrants or parking tickets would be arrested at the polls. In each case, existing law provided little recourse.
The threat has since gone digital — and it's escalating fast. The AI-generated Biden robocall in New Hampshire in January 2024 proved that a single bad actor with $150 and a text-to-speech tool can suppress thousands of votes. The FCC responded with a $6 million fine and criminal charges were filed in four New Hampshire counties, but prosecutors had to cobble together existing statutes not designed for this. Election officials faced credible threat incidents targeting election officials in October and November 2024 alone.
HR4894 would create the first dedicated federal law against deceptive election practices — making it a crime to knowingly spread false information about when, where, or how to vote in federal elections. The bill also requires the Attorney General to communicate correct information within 48 hours of discovering a deceptive campaign, and gives the DOJ new investigative authority to act before an election, not just after the damage is done. With 34 cosponsors and the 2026 midterms approaching, the bill directly responds to the Shelby County v. Holder gap that left states without federal preclearance protections.
What does H.R. 4894 do?
Ban on Deceptive Election Info
Makes it illegal to purposely spread lies about when, where, or how to vote in federal elections.
Protection From Voter Intimidation
Outlaws threats or scary tactics meant to keep people from voting.
Reporting and Correction System
Requires officials to provide accurate info quickly if false election claims start spreading.
Expanded DOJ Authority
Grants new powers to the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate and crack down on these practices.
Who benefits from H.R. 4894?
Voters—especially minorities and first-time voters
Reduces confusion and intimidation, making it easier to vote safely and confidently.
Election officials
Gives them clear rules and backup to fight rumors and protect the integrity of elections.
Democratic process
Helps ensure that election results reflect the true will of the people, not just those who weren't scared or tricked away from the polls.
Civic organizations
Empowers groups that help inform voters or fight misinformation.
Who is affected by H.R. 4894?
Individuals spreading false info
Face new penalties if caught trying to mislead or scare voters.
Voters in historically targeted communities
Gain extra protection but may still remain targets if enforcement isn't strong.
Online platforms and media
Could face new pressure to zero in on and remove misleading election-related content.
State election agencies
May need to update protocols for handling complaints and distributing accurate information.
H.R. 4894 Common Questions
How much jail time could someone get for spreading false voting information under HR 4894?
Under the Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2025, a person could face a fine, up to 1 year in prison, or both for deceptive election communications or interference (Section 3(c)(1)).
Can the Attorney General correct false election information if local officials do not act?
Yes. Under HR4894, if the Attorney General gets a credible report and finds local officials have not adequately corrected it, the AG must provide accurate public information (Section 4(a)(1)).
Does HR 4894 ban AI deepfakes that lie about how to vote in federal elections?
Yes. Under the Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2025, using AI or generative AI to create materially false election information is prohibited (Section 3(a)(2)(B)).
What false voting information is illegal under the Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2025?
HR4894 bans materially false information about the time, place, or manner of a federal election, plus false claims about voter eligibility or registration status (Section 3(a)(2)(A), 3(c)(1)).
Does the bill apply only right before an election or all year?
It applies to covered deceptive communications made within 60 days before a federal election, according to HR4894 Section 3(a)(2)(A) and 3(c)(1).
Can someone sue to stop fake polling places or fake ballot boxes under HR 4894?
Yes. Under the Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2025, aggrieved persons can seek temporary or permanent injunctions in federal court, including against fake polling places or ballot boxes (Section 3(a)(3), 3(b)(1)).
Can election officials sue over voter intimidation at polling places under this bill?
Yes. HR4894 expressly treats election officials responsible for maintaining order at polling places as aggrieved persons for intimidation or coercion violations (Section 6(2)).
Does HR 4894 make it illegal to intimidate people counting or certifying votes?
Yes. According to HR4894 Section 7(2), it would make it a crime to intimidate or interfere with processing, scanning, tabulating, canvassing, or certifying voting results.
Can people be paid not to vote under the Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2025?
No. The bill expands Section 11(c) of the Voting Rights Act to prohibit payments for not voting, under HR4894 Section 3(c)(3).
Which federal elections are covered by HR 4894?
HR4894 covers general, primary, runoff, and special elections for President, Vice President, presidential electors, U.S. Senator, House Member, and Territorial Delegate or Resident Commissioner (Section 3(a)(4), 3(c)(1)(D)).
Based on H.R. 4894 bill text
HR4894 Legislative Journey
House: Committee Action
Aug 5, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
About the Sponsor
Jennifer McClellan
Democrat, Virginia's 4th congressional district · 3 years in Congress
Committees: Energy and Commerce
View full profile →
Cosponsors (34)
All 34 cosponsors are Democrats. Cosponsors represent 20 states: Alabama, California, Colorado, and 17 more.
Terri Sewell
Democrat · AL
Gabe Amo
Democrat · RI
Shontel Brown
Democrat · OH
Troy Carter
Democrat · LA
Valerie Foushee
Democrat · NC
Yvette Clarke
Democrat · NY
Cleo Fields
Democrat · LA
Shomari Figures
Democrat · AL
Steven Horsford
Democrat · NV
Henry Johnson
Democrat · GA
Sydney Kamlager-Dove
Democrat · CA
Robin Kelly
Democrat · IL
Committee Sponsors
Judiciary Committee
3 of 44 committee members cosponsored
16 Democrats across this committee haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
What laws does H.R. 4894 change?
1 changes
Sections Amended
Section 21(a) of Sentencing Act of 1987 (28 U.S.C. 994 note) as though the authority under that section had not expired. (3) Payments for refraining from voting.--Subsection (c) of section 11 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C. 10307)
striking ``either for registration to vote or for voting'' and inserting ``for registration to vote, for voting, or for not voting''
H.R. 4894 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Judiciary
- Chamber
- House
- Policy
- Government Operations and Politics
- Introduced
- Aug 5, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Aug 5, 2025
H.R. 4894 Bill Text
“To prohibit deceptive practices in Federal elections.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
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