Bill Sponsors
Quezada, and Mack
Committee
Senate Judiciary
Summary
Select
This bill prevents employees, agents, or officials from Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from coming within 200 feet of any polling place. This restriction applies during both early voting and on election day. The only exception is if the ICE employee is visiting the polling place to cast their own vote in accordance with all voting laws and rules.
Sponsor
Analysis
Pros for Progressives
- Protects voting rights and access for immigrant communities and naturalized citizens who might be intimidated by the presence of ICE agents at polling places.
- Promotes a safe, welcoming environment for civic engagement and democratic participation without the threat of federal immigration enforcement actions.
- Counters potential voter suppression tactics by ensuring polling locations remain neutral zones focused exclusively on the democratic process rather than immigration enforcement.
Cons for Progressives
- Does not extend the buffer zone beyond 200 feet, which may still allow ICE presence near enough to polling places to cause some indirect intimidation.
- Fails to include other federal or state law enforcement agencies that might also be used to intimidate marginalized voters at the polls.
- Lacks specific state-level enforcement mechanisms or penalties for ICE agents who violate the 200-foot boundary, potentially limiting the law's effectiveness.
Pros for Conservatives
- Asserts state sovereignty and local control by limiting the presence of federal agents at state-managed polling locations.
- Ensures that polling places remain focused on the local administration of elections without interference or overreach from federal executive agencies.
- Allows ICE agents the explicit exception to enter the 200-foot zone when they are exercising their own constitutional right to vote.
Cons for Conservatives
- Restricts federal law enforcement officers from conducting their legal duties and apprehending individuals with active warrants who may be at or near polling locations.
- Could be viewed as a sanctuary policy that shields undocumented immigrants from deportation and undermines the rule of law.
- May increase concerns about election integrity among those who believe federal agents help deter non-citizens from attempting to vote illegally.
Constitutional Concerns
The bill carries a Constitutional risk under the Supremacy Clause. States generally cannot prohibit federal law enforcement agents from executing federal laws or conducting official federal duties within state borders. If an ICE agent is pursuing a federal warrant for someone at a polling place, this state law attempting to ban them from the premises could be preempted by federal law and deemed unconstitutional.
Impact Overview
Groups Affected
- ICE agents
- Voters
- Immigrant communities
- Poll workers
Towns Affected
All
Cost to Taxpayers
None
Revenue Generated
None
BillBuddy Impact Ratings
Importance
Measures population affected and overall level of impact.
Freedom Impact
Level of individual freedom impacted by the bill.
Public Services
How much the bill is likely to impact one or more public services.
Regulatory
Estimated regulatory burden imposed on the subject(s) of the bill.
Clarity of Bill Language
How clear the language of the bill is. Higher ambiguity equals a lower score.
Enforcement Provisions
Measures enforcement provisions and penalties for non-compliance (if applicable).
Environmental Impact
Impact the bill will have on the environment, positive or negative.
Privacy Impact
Impact the bill is likely to have on the privacy of individuals.
Bill Status
Current Status
Held
Comm Passed
Floor Passed
Law
History
• 06/01/2026 Introduced, referred to Senate Judiciary
• 06/01/2026 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (06/03/2026)
• 06/01/2026 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (06/03/2026)
Bill Text
SECTION 1. Chapter 17-19 of the General Laws entitled "Conduct of Election and Voting Equipment, and Supplies" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
17-19-55. Voting interference.
Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement employees, agents, or officials shall not enter or remain within two hundred feet (200') of any polling place at which voting is being conducted, including both early voting and election day voting, except when such Federal Immigration and Customs employee, agent or official is present to vote in compliance with all applicable law, rules and regulations.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
17-19-55. Voting interference.
Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement employees, agents, or officials shall not enter or remain within two hundred feet (200') of any polling place at which voting is being conducted, including both early voting and election day voting, except when such Federal Immigration and Customs employee, agent or official is present to vote in compliance with all applicable law, rules and regulations.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.