introduced the End Fraudulent Filings that Interfere with Elections Act, or the EFFIE Act. This legislation amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to make it a federal felony for any person seeking to be a candidate for federal office or any employee of that candidate to submit fraudulent signatures or
Introduce legislation to make it a federal felony for candidates or their employees to submit fraudulent signatures or filings in federal elections.
Occurrences
Evidence
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GovInfo lists H.R. 8977, the End Fraudulent Filings that Interfere with Elections Act, as introduced in the House on May 21, 2026 by sponsor Michael Lawler. Its full title says it would amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to make it a felony for a federal candidate or employee/agent to knowingly fraudulently sign required ballot-access materials or documentation.
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Rep. Lawler's office announced on May 21, 2026 that he introduced the End Fraudulent Filings that Interfere with Elections Act, or EFFIE Act, to amend FECA and make it a federal felony for federal candidates or their employees to submit fraudulent signatures or documentation required for ballot access, with penalties up to a $250,000 fine, five years in prison, or both.
Assessments
Lawler fulfilled the specific promise by introducing H.R. 8977, the End Fraudulent Filings that Interfere with Elections Act, on May 21, 2026 while serving in the House. The bill directly matches the commitment by proposing to amend FECA to make fraudulent ballot-access signatures or filings by federal candidates or their employees or agents a federal felony.