INTRODUCTION

Dedication

The Election Integrity Network Model Election Laws Handbook is dedicated with deep gratitude to the hundreds of election integrity volunteers across the country who are members of the state election integrity coalitions, the EIN National Working Groups and the Policy Authentication Groups over the past five years.  We especially appreciate the Chairs and leaders of each of the State Coalitions, local Task Forces and the subject matter specialists and volunteers in all of the areas of election integrity.


These tireless warriors for honest, transparent and accurate elections are the backbone of saving America’s broken election systems.  


Their dedication to the principles on which our country was founded, the fundamental notion articulated in the Declaration of Independence that “governments derive their just power from the consent of the governed…” is central to protecting our Republic.


Their collective efforts and expertise form the basis of everything contained in this Handbook.


Without their hard work over the past five years, none of this would have been possible.


The Election Integrity Network is comprised of hundreds and hundreds of these patriots and for them, every American who loves our country should be eternally grateful. They are the backbone of the volunteer force intent upon restoring the nation’s trust in our elections and protecting self-government for future generations. 


The American people owe each and every one of them – too numerous to mention by name – an enormous debt of gratitude.


Thank you, Election Integrity Network volunteers.  You are saving our elections and saving our country.


Letter From Our Founder and Chairman

Fellow Citizens, Policy Makers and Legislators:


The integrity of our elections is the very foundation of self-government. The Model Election Laws Handbook is based upon the ten principles in the US Citizens Elections Bill of Rights, published by the Election Integrity Network in January 2025. Those ten fundamental principles are absolutely necessary to save America’s elections from the disintegration of the integrity, accountability, and transparency that is, unfortunately, found in every state: in the election laws, election rules and policies, and election procedures. Everywhere.


The US Citizens Elections Bill of Rights was developed, compiled and distilled from recommendations by hundreds of citizen volunteers who have spent the past several years deeply involved in studying election processes across the nation. Election Integrity Network volunteers have learned, carefully observed and engaged in the election process, systems, policies, statutes, and procedures of elections at the local and state level and, from those lessons and experiences, and with deep knowledge of the issues, concerns, and problems in our elections, the US Citizens Elections Bill of Rights was developed. The election policies and model legislation in the Handbook provide the roadmap to implementing those principles.


What has become clear is that those who oppose election integrity really want corruption of our elections: they want dirty voter rolls, no confirming identity or eligibility of voters, allowing noncitizens to vote, blocking transparency, opposition to confirming the accuracy of election results prior to certification and, essentially, opposition to every policy in this handbook. 


Ours is a binary choice when it comes to election policy: choose either election integrity vs. corrupt, inaccurate, and insecure elections. One or the other. There is no middle ground.


Every policy recommended in the Handbook will enhance and ensure the integrity and accuracy of our elections - which is what the American people want. Please be sure to review the Rasmussen polling data on the following pages that confirms these policies are desired by the voters. 


We hope every Member of Congress, state legislator, election official, local and state policymaker and citizen volunteer will use the Handbook to create a framework for integrity in every election in our country from this day forward.


We look forward to working with all of you to accomplish that mission.


Sincerely, 

Cleta Mitchell, Founder and Chairman

Election Integrity Network


Note from EIN’s President

As President of the Election Integrity Network, I am pleased to present the Election Policies Handbook—a practical resource for restoring confidence in America’s elections.


This Handbook offers clear, actionable policy recommendations that state lawmakers, election administrators, and citizen advocates can use to strengthen election security. It targets real vulnerabilities in voter registration, ballot handling, tabulation, auditing, and certification—while promoting accuracy, accountability, and public trust.


Our republic requires elections that are accessible to every eligible voter yet firmly protected against error, fraud, and procedural weakness. The reforms outlined here close critical gaps, modernize outdated systems, and establish consistent safeguards that function effectively in every jurisdiction.


Election Integrity Network is committed to equipping state coalitions and grassroots leaders with the tools needed to build and maintain a permanent election integrity infrastructure of citizen volunteers across the nation. This Handbook provides the frameworks, rationale, and strategies to turn concern into concrete legislative and administrative results.


I encourage you to review these policies thoroughly and implement them in your state and community. The strength of American self-government depends on our shared commitment to elections that are worthy of the public’s trust.


With determination and coordinated action, we can secure the integrity of our elections for generations to come.


Sincerely, 

Sharon Bemis

President, Election Integrity Network


Introduction to the Model Election Laws Handbook

This Model Election Laws Handbook equips legislators and citizen advocates with the principles of the US Citizens Elections Bill of Rights and adaptable legislative language to strengthen election integrity for every state. This will allow users to compare their state’s statutes to the model provisions, select complete bills or individual sections, and combine elements across topics as needed to craft targeted solutions. Customize bracketed terms for your jurisdiction and coordinate with legislative counsel for proper integration. A more extensive how-to guide, including quick-start steps, appears in Appendix A following the Model Laws.


US Citizens Elections Bill of Rights

PREAMBLE: We, the Citizen Voters of the United States do hereby proclaim this Elections Bill of Rights to secure the integrity of America’s elections, which are the bedrock of America’s constitutional republic; so that our elections are protected from fraud, manipulation, and error, free from foreign interference and influence, enabling the citizens of the United States of America to faithfully give to or withdraw our consent from those who seek to govern our nation, our states, and our local communities, enshrining in the laws of our nation the following principles:


  1. Only US Citizens Participate in US Elections, in Any Manner
  2. Voter ID for All Votes / Voters: Acceptable ID Confirms Citizenship
  3. Restore Election Day, Qualify Absentee Voters; Results Election Night
  4. Confirm Citizenship, Identity, & Residency of All Voters, Rigorous Voter Roll Maintenance
  5. Replace All Vulnerable / Insecure Voting Technology; Only Pre-Printed Secure Paper Ballots, Hand-Marked
  6. Confirm Accuracy of Election Results Pre-Certification; Require Post Election Independent Audits 
  7. VII.Ensure Transparency of Elections and Election Records
  8. VIII.Protect Deployed Military Voters, Separate from Overseas Civilians
  9. Stop Billionaire-Concocted Election Schemes 
  10. Citizen Standing to Enforce Election Laws; Protect Laws from Leftwing Legal Apparatus; Accountability & Penalties for Violations‍



The American People Support the US Citizens Election Bill of Rights

In the fall of 2024, Election Integrity Network finalized the U.S. Citizens Elections Bill of Rights — a clear set of commonsense principles to protect every American’s vote. We then teamed up with veteran pollster Scott Rasmussen to ask voters across the country what they think. The results confirmed we were right on target: Americans strongly support these basic reforms, even as confidence in our elections remains dangerously low.


Here’s what the polling showed:

Fewer than half of all voters (45%) are very confident that their votes were accurately counted, and the proper winner was declared in recent elections. This includes just 46% of both Democrats and Republicans.


Not surprisingly, then, voters overwhelmingly support a number of basic election reforms such as requiring states to clean voter rolls, requiring that the number of ballots match the number of voters registered, photo ID and proof of citizenship requirements, and requiring all mail-in ballots to be received by Election Day.