S. 2912: Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2025
Sponsor
Angela Alsobrooks
Democrat · MD
Bill Progress
Latest Action · Sep 18, 2025
Read twice and Referred to the Judiciary. for review
Why it matters
False election information and voter intimidation have become faster and easier to spread, especially online, making federal rules against these tactics more urgent ahead of future elections.
S. 2912, the Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2025, is a federal voting-rights bill aimed at stopping false and misleading election messages that keep people from voting. The bill frames the right to vote as fundamental and argues that modern voter suppression often works through misinformation and intimidation rather than older barriers like poll taxes or literacy tests.
The findings section says deceptive practices include spreading false information about when, where, or how to vote, or using fear to discourage participation. The bill ties these tactics to a longer history of discrimination against racial, ethnic, and language minorities. It also points to examples from past elections, including false mailers and improper ID demands, to argue that stronger federal protections are needed.
This is also a statement about federal power. The bill says Congress has authority under the Constitution and the 14th and 15th Amendments to protect federal elections and address racially targeted suppression. That matters because voting-rights legislation often faces legal and political challenges over whether Washington can set these rules.
What stands out: The text provided here mostly includes the bill's title and findings, not the full enforcement details. Even so, its direction is clear: make it harder for bad actors to mislead voters and easier for the federal government to respond when election lies are used to suppress turnout.
What does S. 2912 do?
Bans deceptive election practices
The bill is designed to prohibit false or misleading tactics used in federal elections to stop people from voting or to interfere with their vote.
Targets voter intimidation
It focuses not just on lies, but also on threats or scare tactics meant to keep voters away from the polls.
Protects access for minority voters
The bill highlights how racial, ethnic, and language minorities have often been targeted by suppression efforts and aims to strengthen protections for those communities.
Builds a record of past abuses
The findings section lists examples of misleading mailers, false eligibility warnings, and improper ID demands to justify stronger federal action.
Asserts federal authority over election protection
The bill says Congress has constitutional power to protect federal elections and respond to discriminatory tactics that deny or burden the right to vote.
Who benefits from S. 2912?
Voters in federal elections
They would get added protection against lies or threats meant to confuse them about voting rules or discourage them from casting a ballot.
Racial and ethnic minority communities
These groups are specifically identified in the bill as common targets of suppression and would likely gain stronger safeguards against discriminatory tactics.
Language minority voters
Voters who may rely on translated materials or community networks could benefit from efforts to stop misleading messages aimed at exploiting language barriers.
Election officials
Clearer federal rules against deceptive practices could help them respond more quickly to false information that disrupts voting.
Who is affected by S. 2912?
Political operatives and campaign groups
Groups involved in election messaging could face tighter limits and possible penalties if they spread false information meant to suppress turnout.
Outside organizations and bad actors
People or groups that use robocalls, mailers, texts, or online posts to mislead voters would be the main target of the bill.
Federal enforcement agencies
Depending on the bill's full text, federal agencies and prosecutors could be asked to investigate and enforce new rules against voter deception and intimidation.
States and local election systems
They may need to coordinate with federal authorities or adjust how they respond when false information about federal elections spreads.
S. 2912 Common Questions
Can you go to jail for spreading false voting information before a federal election?
Yes. Under the Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2025, violating the deceptive-acts rules can bring a fine, up to 1 year in prison, or both (Section 3(c)(1)).
How many days before an election does this bill ban false voting information?
The ban applies to covered false communications made within 60 days before a federal election under S2912 Section 3(a)(2)(A) and 3(a)(2)(B).
Does S2912 ban AI-generated fake election information?
Yes. Under the Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2025, using generative AI to produce materially false voting information is prohibited within 60 days of a federal election (Section 3(a)(2)(B)).
Can voters sue over deceptive election messages under S2912?
Yes. According to S2912 Section 3(b)(1), an aggrieved person may seek temporary or permanent injunctive relief in U.S. district court, and the prevailing party may receive reasonable attorney's fees.
Can the Attorney General issue corrections when false voting information spreads?
Yes. Under the Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2025, the Attorney General must provide accurate public corrections after a credible report if local officials have not adequately corrected the false information (Section 4(a)(1)).
What standards must DOJ follow when correcting false election information?
Under S2912 Section 4(a)(2), DOJ corrections must be accurate, objective, limited to necessary corrections, and non-partisan.
Can fake polling places or fake ballot boxes be illegal under this bill?
Yes. Under the Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2025, intentionally hindering voting or registration includes operating fake polling places or ballot boxes (Section 3(a)(3)).
Can election workers be protected from intimidation during ballot counting and certification?
Yes. According to S2912 Section 7(2), it becomes a crime to intimidate or interfere with people processing or scanning ballots, or tabulating, canvassing, or certifying results.
Can poll workers sue over voter intimidation under S2912?
Yes. Under the Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2025, election officers responsible for order at polling places are treated as aggrieved persons for intimidation-related civil actions (Section 6(2)(B)(i)).
Does this bill make paying people not to vote illegal?
Yes. Under the Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2025, Section 11(c) of the Voting Rights Act is expanded to prohibit payments for "not voting" (Section 3(c)(3)).
Based on S. 2912 bill text
S2912 Legislative Journey
Committee Action
Sep 18, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
About the Sponsor
Angela Alsobrooks
Democrat, MD · 1 years in Congress
Committees: Senate Special Committee on Aging, Environment and Public Works, Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
View full profile →
Cosponsors (8)
All 8 cosponsors are Democrats. Cosponsors represent 7 states: California, Connecticut, Hawaii, and 4 more.
Committee Sponsors
Judiciary Committee
4 of 22 committee members cosponsored
6 Democrats across this committee haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
What laws does S. 2912 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''
S. 2912 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Judiciary
- Chamber
- Senate
- Policy
- Government Operations and Politics
- Introduced
- Sep 18, 2025
Read twice and Referred to the Judiciary. for review
Sep 18, 2025
S. 2912 Bill Text
“To prohibit deceptive practices in Federal elections.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
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