THE CANDIDATE VERIFICATION AND TRANSPARENCY ACT¶

A Federal Framework for Verified Candidate Records¶

Revision 1.2¶

INTRODUCTION¶

The Candidate Verification and Transparency Act establishes a permanent, independent federal agency responsible solely for the verification, compilation, and publication of factual records relevant to individuals seeking federal elective office. The Act is designed to strengthen informational transparency without regulating political speech, limiting ballot access, or imposing ideological or behavioral qualifications inconsistent with constitutional principles.

The structure of this Act emphasizes transparency, uniformity, constitutional restraint, and a hard separation between factual recordkeeping and electoral judgments. Voters remain the ultimate decision-makers. The government's role is confined to verifying basic facts and ensuring that all candidates are subject to the same objective, documentary-based review.

TITLE I: ESTABLISHMENT OF THE AGENCY¶

Section 101. Short Title¶

This Act may be cited as the Candidate Verification and Transparency Act.

Section 102. Purpose¶

The purpose of this Title is to establish an independent federal agency charged with verifying, compiling, and publicly publishing documentary records related to individuals seeking federal elective office. This Agency operates with limited and explicitly defined authority to provide factual information necessary for the functioning of an informed electorate.

Section 103. Congressional Findings¶

Congress finds the following: 1. Public access to accurate documentary information about federal candidates is a foundational component of democratic self-government. 2. Existing electoral systems rely primarily on adversarial discovery by campaigns and media, which leads to inconsistent, fragmented, and unequal access to factual information. 3. A neutral, standardized, and non-discretionary process for verifying factual information strengthens democratic accountability while preserving freedom of political speech. 4. The verification of objective documentary records does not constitute a qualification for office and must not be construed as restricting ballot access or regulating political beliefs or expression. 5. Transparency regarding a candidate's factual background enhances trust, reduces misinformation, and upholds the principle that voters -- not government -- determine who should serve.

Section 104. Establishment of the Federal Candidate Verification Agency¶

(a) There is established an independent agency of the United States Government to be known as the Federal Candidate Verification Agency (the Agency). (b) The Agency shall not be placed under the authority of any Executive department. (c) The Agency's mission shall be limited to the duties expressly enumerated in this Act.

Section 105. Status and Independence¶

(a) The Agency shall operate independently from political influence and partisan control. (b) No officer or employee of the Executive Branch may direct, supervise, or control the Agency's verification processes. (c) The Agency shall not exercise investigative, regulatory, enforcement, or eligibility-determination functions beyond those explicitly identified in this Act.

Section 106. Mission and Core Functions¶

The Agency shall perform the following functions: 1. Verify factual records relating to identity, age, citizenship, residency, education, employment, military service, criminal or civil court history, and financial disclosure consistency. 2. Compile findings into standardized Verification Reports and Summary Voter Sheets. 3. Publish verified information for public use without commentary or evaluative judgment. 4. Refer potential constitutional eligibility issues to the Federal Candidate Eligibility Panel established under Title III. 5. Maintain secure, transparent, and publicly accessible systems for record publication.

END OF TITLE I

TITLE II: DEFINITIONS AND SCOPE¶

Section 201. Definitions¶

For purposes of this Act:

(a) Agency means the Federal Candidate Verification Agency established under Title I.

(b) Candidate means any individual who files a Statement of Candidacy with the Federal Election Commission, qualifies for federal ballot access under state law, or raises or expends funds for the purpose of seeking election to federal office.

(c) Verification means the process by which the Agency collects, examines, and confirms objective documentary records from authorized sources, without interpretation or commentary.

(d) Documentary Record means any authoritative, institutional, or government-generated record capable of being validated through official databases, registries, archives, or court systems.

(e) Verification Report means the formal, full-length publication issued by the Agency consolidating all verified records, citations, timestamps, and data sources.

(f) Summary Voter Sheet means a concise, plain-language summary of verified facts suitable for rapid public review.

(g) Public Record means any record legally accessible under federal or state law that does not require candidate consent for release, excluding information subject to privacy or security restrictions.

(h) Objective Information means information verifiable independently of candidate statements, political messaging, or subjective evaluation.

(i) Eligibility Issue means any question pertaining to age, citizenship, residency, or constitutional qualification explicitly defined in Article I, Article II, the Twelfth Amendment, or Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment.

Section 202. Scope of Verification Authority¶

(a) The Agency may verify only the objective documentary domains authorized by this Act.

(b) The Agency shall not investigate, evaluate, or interpret: 1. political ideology;
2. policy positions;
3. religious beliefs;
4. associative behavior;
5. personal relationships;
6. loyalty or patriotism;
7. moral or ethical standing.

(c) Verification authority shall not extend to activities requiring investigative powers, including: 1. surveillance;
2. subpoenas;
3. compelled testimony;
4. undercover activity;
5. data scraping of private communications.

(d) Verification is not a determination of suitability for office and shall not be construed as a qualification, endorsement, or assessment of character.

Section 203. Rules of Construction¶

(a) Nothing in this Act shall authorize the Agency to regulate, evaluate, or penalize speech, messaging, or political communication by candidates or campaigns.

(b) No authority under this Act shall be implied or inferred beyond explicit statutory language.

(c) Ambiguities shall be resolved narrowly to prevent authority expansion and to preserve constitutional freedoms.

(d) Verification shall proceed uniformly regardless of a candidate's political party, ideology, electoral prospects, or media profile.

(e) The Agency's role is informational, not adjudicatory. Judicial rulings on eligibility remain the exclusive province of the Federal Candidate Eligibility Panel described in Title III.

END OF TITLE II

TITLE III: FEDERAL CANDIDATE ELIGIBILITY PANEL¶

Section 301. Establishment of the Federal Candidate Eligibility Panel¶

(a) There is established a judicial body to be known as the Federal Candidate Eligibility Panel (the Panel).
(b) The Panel shall operate within the federal judiciary and shall not be subject to direction or supervision by the Agency, the Executive Branch, or political appointees.
(c) The Panel shall hold exclusive jurisdiction over constitutional eligibility disputes referred by the Agency or raised through petition under this Title.

Section 302. Composition and Appointment¶

(a) The Panel shall consist of nine judges selected from among sitting judges of the United States Courts of Appeals.
(b) Members shall be appointed by the Chief Justice of the United States.
(c) No more than four members may be affiliated with the same political party.
(d) Judges shall serve non-renewable five-year terms.
(e) Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as original appointments.

Section 303. Jurisdiction and Limitations¶

(a) The Panel shall have exclusive original jurisdiction over questions of constitutional eligibility for federal office, including:
1. age;
2. citizenship;
3. residency;
4. qualifications explicitly defined in the Constitution.

(b) The Panel shall not consider or adjudicate:
1. political ideology;
2. alignment or opposition to any political movement;
3. loyalty, patriotism, or moral suitability;
4. accuracy of political messaging;
5. subjective assessments of character or beliefs.

(c) The Panel may not expand or redefine constitutional qualifications.

Section 304. Referral and Petition Procedures¶

(a) The Agency shall refer any potential eligibility issue supported by documentary evidence to the Panel.
(b) Candidates may file petitions seeking affirmation of their constitutional eligibility.
(c) Any citizen of the United States may submit a petition alleging ineligibility, provided the petition includes documentary evidence sufficient to establish a prima facie claim.
(d) The Panel may dismiss petitions lacking sufficient evidence without a hearing.

Section 305. Procedures and Standards of Proof¶

(a) The Panel shall adopt procedures ensuring expedited review of eligibility disputes.
(b) Pre-primary disputes shall be resolved within 60 days of referral; pre-general election disputes within 30 days; post-ballot disputes within 10 days.
(c) Proceedings shall be based primarily on documentary evidence.
(d) The burden of proof rests on the party asserting that the candidate is ineligible.
(e) Constitutional ineligibility must be shown by clear and convincing evidence.

Section 306. Decisions, Remedies, and Appeals¶

(a) The Panel may issue the following determinations:
1. affirmation of eligibility;
2. declaration of ineligibility;
3. remand for clarification or correction of documentary records;
4. dismissal for insufficient evidence.

(b) A final determination of ineligibility shall bar the candidate from appearing on the ballot for the relevant office.
(c) Candidates may appeal decisions of the Panel to the Supreme Court of the United States by petition for writ of certiorari.
(d) Judicial review shall not expand, reinterpret, or modify constitutional qualifications beyond explicit text and binding precedent.

END OF TITLE III

TITLE IV: VERIFICATION PROCEDURES¶

Section 401. Mandatory Verification for Federal Candidates¶

(a) The Agency shall conduct verification for all individuals who become candidates for federal elective office.
(b) Verification shall be triggered upon any of the following: 1. Filing a Statement of Candidacy with the Federal Election Commission;
2. Qualification for federal ballot access under state law;
3. Raising or spending funds that meet the federal definition of candidacy.

(c) All candidates shall be subject to identical verification procedures regardless of political party, ideology, incumbency, or electoral viability.
(d) Verification shall be completed and published no later than 90 days prior to the earliest primary ballot printing for the relevant office.

Section 402. Verification Domains¶

The Agency shall verify only the following objective documentary domains:

(a) Identity and Citizenship
Verification of legal name, date of birth, and citizenship status through authoritative federal and state records.

(b) Age
Confirmation that the candidate meets constitutionally defined age requirements at the time of office assumption.

(c) Residency
Verification of federal constitutional residency duration through tax records, voter registration, and public residence documents.

(d) Education
Confirmation of degrees or certifications conferred by accredited institutions, including enrollment and graduation records.

(e) Employment History
Verification of principal employment roles, officer positions, and relevant corporate affiliations appearing in public filings or registries.

(f) Military Service
Confirmation of service records, discharge status, service dates, and branch information from the Department of Defense or relevant repositories.

(g) Criminal and Civil Court Records
Verification of convictions, indictments, or civil judgments permitted under federal or state disclosure laws.

(h) Financial Disclosure Consistency
Cross-checks to ensure consistency between candidate-submitted federal financial disclosures and relevant public records.

Section 403. Prohibited Areas of Inquiry¶

(a) The Agency shall not investigate, evaluate, or publish findings concerning: 1. political ideology or policy preferences;
2. religious beliefs or practices;
3. personal relationships, family history, or private associations;
4. expressive activity, including speech, protest, or political engagement;
5. loyalty, patriotism, or moral character;
6. psychological, medical, or behavioral history;
7. sealed, expunged, or legally protected records.

(b) The Agency may not seek or access: 1. private communications or social media account contents;
2. classified intelligence files unrelated to military service verification;
3. medical or mental health records;
4. consumer financial data beyond statutory disclosures.

Section 404. Standardized Procedures and Uniform Application¶

(a) The Agency shall apply a uniform, standardized checklist to every candidate for the same office.
(b) The scope of the checklist shall be publicly available and updated only in accordance with Title V.
(c) Verification procedures shall not be influenced by allegations, campaign statements, or media reports.
(d) The Agency shall not initiate additional verification steps based on political claims, controversy, or public pressure.

Section 405. Candidate Participation, Review, and Correction¶

(a) Candidates shall be notified upon initiation of verification.
(b) Each candidate shall be provided an opportunity to review preliminary verification findings prior to publication.
(c) Candidates may submit documentary evidence to correct factual inaccuracies.
(d) The Agency shall publish corrected findings within 14 days of receiving documentation.
(e) Disputes unresolved administratively shall be referred to the Federal Candidate Eligibility Panel as appropriate under Title III.

Section 406. Candidate Authorization for Third-Party Verification¶

(a) Purpose and Scope.
Where verification under Section 402 requires access to records held by third-party institutions -- including educational institutions, former employers, licensing boards, or the Department of Defense -- the Agency shall request that the candidate execute a standard authorization form permitting release of such records.

(b) Categories of Records Requiring Authorization.
This Section applies to the following categories:

Educational Records -- enrollment dates, degrees or certifications conferred, and dates of attendance from accredited institutions;
Military Service Records -- DD-214 or equivalent separation document, branch of service, service dates, discharge characterization, and rank achieved;
Employment Records -- confirmation of job titles, dates of employment, and employer attestation limited to factual position history;
Professional Licensure Records -- licensure status, dates of issuance and expiration, and any disciplinary actions appearing in public records.

(c) Exclusions from Authorization.
The authorization form shall not request, and the Agency shall not seek or accept, the following:

grades, GPA, test scores, academic evaluations, disciplinary records, or financial aid history;
medical or psychological records, including those related to military service;
employment evaluations, performance reviews, salary history, internal disciplinary records, personnel files, or reasons for separation;
private communications, metadata, or proprietary internal materials held by employers or institutions.

(d) Limitations on Agency Authority.
Nothing in this Section authorizes the Agency to:

issue subpoenas or warrants;
conduct surveillance or investigative activity;
compel testimony or cooperation from any party;
access sealed, expunged, or classified records beyond those enumerated in this Title.

(e) Authorization Process and Timeline.

Upon initiation of verification, the Agency shall transmit to the candidate a standardized authorization form for each category of third-party records requiring candidate consent.
The Agency shall transmit forms by both electronic mail and certified postal mail to the address on file with the Federal Election Commission.
The candidate shall have 21 calendar days from the date of transmission to execute and return each form.
The Agency may accept forms returned by electronic mail, postal mail, or secure digital submission through the Agency's public portal.

(f) Verification Status Notations.
The Verification Report and Summary Voter Sheet shall reflect the following standardized status notations:

"Verified" -- Record confirmed by source institution.
"Authorization form requested; deadline passed without candidate response" -- Candidate did not return the signed authorization form within the period specified in Subsection (e)(3).
"Authorization provided; subsequently withdrawn by candidate" -- Candidate initially authorized release but later revoked consent in writing.
"Authorization provided; institution did not respond" -- Candidate provided authorization but the third-party institution failed to respond to the Agency's request.
"Authorization provided; no matching record found" -- Candidate provided authorization and the institution responded, but no record matching the candidate's claimed credential exists in the institution's files.
"Record exempt from verification under applicable law" -- The record is sealed, expunged, or otherwise protected from disclosure by federal or state law.

(g) Documentation and Audit Trail.
For each verification request requiring candidate authorization, the Agency shall maintain and include in the Verification Report:

the date(s) authorization forms were transmitted to the candidate;
the method(s) of delivery;
the stated deadline for response;
the date of candidate response, if any, or a notation that no response was received;
for institution-side issues, the date(s) the Agency transmitted the verification request to the institution, the method of transmission, and the institution's response or non-response.

This documentation shall be subject to the audit log and public access requirements of Title VII.

(h) Revocation of Authorization.
A candidate may revoke authorization at any time by submitting a written revocation to the Agency. Revocation shall be reflected as specified in Subsection (f)(3). Revocation does not affect records already obtained and verified prior to the date of revocation.

(i) Protection of Inadvertently Obtained Non-Relevant Data.
Any private information obtained by the Agency that falls outside the categories enumerated in Subsection (b), or that is excluded under Subsection (c), shall be:

immediately destroyed or permanently redacted upon identification;
exempt from the public record and publication requirements of Title VII;
protected from disclosure, and any willful disclosure shall constitute misconduct subject to the penalties established in Title VIII.

(j) Effect on Ballot Access and Eligibility.
Nothing in this Section affects ballot access or constitutional eligibility. A candidate's decision not to authorize release of records, or to revoke such authorization, shall not be construed as grounds for exclusion from the ballot or as a determination of ineligibility.

END OF TITLE IV

TITLE V: AGENCY PERMANENCE AND SCOPE LIMITATIONS¶

Section 501. Permanent Establishment¶

(a) The Federal Candidate Verification Agency established under Title I shall continue in perpetuity as a permanent independent agency of the United States Government.
(b) The Agency shall not lapse as a result of delayed appropriations, administrative inaction, or failure to reauthorize operational procedures.
(c) Dissolution of the Agency may occur only through an explicit Act of Congress specifying such intent.

Section 502. Appropriations and Budget Independence¶

(a) Congress shall authorize such sums as necessary to carry out the functions of the Agency.
(b) The Agency's budget shall be submitted and reviewed independently and shall not be placed under the authority of any executive department.
(c) Funding levels shall not be used to expand, reinterpret, or reduce the scope of authority granted under this Act.
(d) Appropriations may not condition or influence verification outcomes or operational standards.

Section 503. Staffing and Civil Service Structure¶

(a) All personnel engaged in verification activities shall be appointed through the competitive civil service.
(b) No more than five percent of Agency personnel may be political appointees, and no political appointee may participate in verification activities.
(c) Employees engaged in verification shall be prohibited from:
1. coordinating with campaigns, PACs, or political parties;
2. donating to federal candidates;
3. holding leadership roles in political organizations.
(d) The Agency shall adopt conflict-of-interest rules to ensure neutrality and professional integrity.
(e) Whistleblower protections consistent with federal law shall apply to all Agency employees.

Section 504. Organizational Divisions and Functional Separation¶

(a) The Agency shall include at minimum the following operational divisions:
1. Verification Operations Division;
2. Data Access and Records Systems Division;
3. Public Transparency and Publication Division;
4. Office of Legal Counsel and Appeals Coordination;
5. Office of Inspector General.

(b) Personnel assigned to verification functions shall not participate in publication decisions or legal determinations.
(c) The Inspector General shall operate independently to review internal conduct and procedural compliance.

Section 505. Implementation Timeline and Phased Rollout¶

(a) Phase I: Formation (Year 1)
Establish leadership, initiate hiring, and develop verification methodologies.

(b) Phase II: Pilot Program (Years 2--3)
Pilot verification processes on a voluntary basis, publish preliminary reports, and refine standards.

(c) Phase III: Mandatory Verification
Mandatory verification shall apply beginning with the first presidential election cycle occurring no sooner than four years after enactment.
(d) Verification for Senate and House candidates shall become mandatory one year following the implementation for presidential candidates.

Section 506. Scope Lock and Expansion Constraints¶

(a) The authority granted to the Agency under this Act is permanent but shall not expand except as explicitly authorized under this Title.

(b) Definition of Expansion.
Expansion includes any action that would:
1. add new verification categories;
2. add enforcement or investigatory powers;
3. reinterpret documentary requirements to include ideology, loyalty, or expressive conduct;
4. access new categories of records not enumerated in this Act.

(c) Expansion Threshold.
Any expansion of authority shall require passage by a three-fifths vote of both houses of Congress.

(d) Reduction or Repeal.
Authority may be reduced or repealed by a simple majority vote of Congress.

(e) Interpretive Restrictions.
1. No implied powers shall be inferred from statutory language.
2. Ambiguities shall be resolved narrowly and in favor of limiting governmental authority.
3. No rulemaking may redefine or broaden the Agency's mandate.

(f) Continuity of Transparency Function.
In the event of reduced authority, the Agency shall continue to maintain and publish all verified records lawfully obtained.
(g) No record shall be repurposed for law enforcement, intelligence, or regulatory use unless required by court order unrelated to political activity.

END OF TITLE V

TITLE VI: CONSTITUTIONAL SAFEGUARDS AND PROTECTION OF POLITICAL SPEECH¶

Section 601. First Amendment Protections¶

(a) Nothing in this Act shall authorize the Agency to regulate, restrict, evaluate, penalize, or otherwise interfere with political speech or expressive activity by any candidate, campaign, party, citizen, or organization.
(b) The Agency shall not determine the truth, falsity, accuracy, or credibility of political messaging, campaign statements, or expressive conduct.
(c) The Agency shall not publish commentary or annotations identifying or implying inconsistencies between verified records and statements made by candidates.
(d) No provision of this Act shall be interpreted to authorize prior restraint of speech or to impose conditions on political advocacy.

Section 602. Prohibition on Ideological and Loyalty Tests¶

(a) The Agency shall not evaluate, classify, or label candidates based on:
1. political ideology or philosophy;
2. policy preferences or legislative positions;
3. religious belief, affiliation, or lack thereof;
4. patriotic expression or loyalty statements;
5. associations with legal political movements;
6. advocacy, protest participation, or activism.

(b) Eligibility or verification status shall not be conditioned on loyalty, doctrine, personal belief, or adherence to any ideological standard.

Section 603. Preservation and Incorporation of Constitutional Qualifications¶

(a) The Agency shall evaluate eligibility only with respect to objective qualifications explicitly stated in:
1. Article I, Sections 2 and 3;
2. Article II, Section 1;
3. The Twelfth Amendment;
4. Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment;
5. Future constitutional amendments that explicitly modify eligibility criteria.

(b) Constitutional provisions shall not be interpreted to create additional qualifications indirectly, implicitly, or through inference.
(c) Judicial interpretation may clarify the application of explicit qualifications but shall not expand or redefine qualification categories.
(d) Expanded eligibility criteria shall apply only where a future constitutional amendment explicitly and directly states such requirements.
(e) Congress may not impose eligibility requirements for federal office through statute, regulation, or agency action.

Section 604. Prohibition on Enforcement and Investigatory Powers¶

(a) The Agency shall not exercise investigative authority, including:
1. issuing subpoenas or warrants;
2. conducting surveillance or undercover activity;
3. compelling testimony or cooperation;
4. accessing intelligence, immigration, financial, or criminal records beyond those explicitly authorized under Title IV.

(b) The Agency shall not impose penalties, fines, sanctions, or conditions that affect a candidate's ability to seek or hold office.
(c) Verification findings may not be used for law enforcement, intelligence, immigration, or regulatory purposes.

Section 605. Interpretive Limits and No Deference¶

(a) All authority granted under this Act shall be interpreted narrowly and consistent with the plain text.
(b) Courts reviewing Agency actions shall apply de novo review, granting no deference to Agency rulemaking or interpretation.
(c) Ambiguities shall be resolved in favor of limiting governmental authority and preserving constitutional rights.
(d) No implied powers shall be inferred from the structure, purpose, or findings of this Act.

Section 606. Limited Private Right of Action¶

(a) Any citizen of the United States may bring a civil action alleging that the Agency exceeded statutory limits, regulated or evaluated speech, or introduced ideological criteria.
(b) Relief shall be limited to declaratory or injunctive remedies, along with recovery of reasonable attorney costs.
(c) No private action may compel the Agency to expand verification scope, investigative powers, or authority beyond statutory text.

Section 607. Constitutional Backstop and Severability¶

(a) Nothing in this Act shall be interpreted to diminish or infringe constitutional rights under the First Amendment, Fifth Amendment, Fourteenth Amendment, or other constitutional provisions.
(b) If any provision of this Title is held unconstitutional, remaining provisions shall continue in force.
(c) No ruling affecting this Title shall be construed to expand Agency authority beyond the explicit limits established by this Act.

END OF TITLE VI

TITLE VII: PUBLIC ACCESS, PUBLICATION STANDARDS, AND DATA AVAILABILITY¶

Section 701. Public Access Requirement¶

(a) All verified records, reports, datasets, and summaries produced under this Act shall be made publicly available without fee, registration, or usage restrictions.
(b) The Agency shall not require user accounts, identity verification, or geographic filtering to access public information.
(c) Access to public records shall be uniform for all users, including voters, campaigns, journalists, researchers, and civic organizations.
(d) Verified information shall remain accessible through the Agency's public portal for not less than 20 years after publication.

Section 702. Required Publication Formats¶

(a) The Agency shall publish verified information in the following formats:
1. Summary Voter Sheet, providing a concise, standardized overview of verified facts;
2. Verification Report, containing full documentation, data sources, and citations;
3. Machine-readable datasets, including CSV, JSON, or equivalent nonproprietary formats.

(b) No publication format may contain evaluative, interpretive, or comparative language.
(c) All formats shall be released contemporaneously.

Section 703. Timeliness of Publication¶

(a) Initial Verification Reports shall be published within 30 days of completion and not later than 90 days prior to the earliest primary ballot printing.
(b) Updates or corrections shall be published within 14 days of receipt of necessary documentation.
(c) Once published, verified records shall not be withdrawn or hidden prior to Election Day except by court order or statutory redaction.
(d) The Agency shall maintain a continuous public record of all updates and changes.

Section 704. Accessibility and Format Requirements¶

(a) Publications shall be accessible to users with disabilities consistent with federal accessibility standards.
(b) Human-readable formats must allow a voter to understand essential information within approximately 30 seconds.
(c) Machine-readable formats must allow automated retrieval without proprietary software.
(d) All entries in Verification Reports shall include citations, timestamps, and source metadata.

Section 705. Versioning, Audit Logs, and Change History¶

(a) The Agency shall maintain an immutable public audit log recording:
1. each change to any public document;
2. the date and time of the change;
3. the nature of the change;
4. a brief justification.

(b) No silent edits are permitted.
(c) The Agency shall maintain cryptographic integrity checks to prevent tampering with public data.

Section 706. Programmatic Access¶

(a) The Agency shall provide a public API enabling automated access to all published information.
(b) API usage shall not be rate-limited in a manner that impedes legitimate public access.
(c) API logs shall not be used to identify, profile, or restrict users based on political activity or other characteristics.
(d) No special or early access may be granted to any organization, campaign, or private entity.

Section 707. Anti-Obfuscation Requirements¶

(a) The Agency shall not rely on PDF-only or image-only formats without corresponding machine-readable files.
(b) No publication may be structured to obscure, bury, or fragment information in a manner that impedes user comprehension.
(c) No design choices may prioritize or deprioritize candidates based on party, ideology, incumbency, or polling status.

Section 708. Redundancy and Resilience¶

(a) All records shall be hosted on redundant federal infrastructure with automatic failover.
(b) In the event of Agency dissolution, all public data shall be transferred to a permanent archival authority.
(c) No executive action may suspend or limit public access to verified records except by court order.

Section 709. Civic Data Rights¶

(a) All published data shall be freely reproducible, mirrorable, rehostable, and analyzable by the public.
(b) No exclusive rights or agreements may be granted to any political or commercial entity.
(c) Redistribution of public data shall not require Agency approval.

Section 710. Plain-Presentation Requirement¶

(a) The Agency shall not produce narrative text, commentary, or evaluative descriptions alongside verified data.
(b) Visual formatting, layout, or ordering may not imply endorsement or criticism.
(c) All fields shall be presented in neutral, factual terms.

Section 711. User Interface Integrity and Primary Search Access¶

(a) The Agency shall maintain a homepage featuring a prominently displayed search function visible upon initial load on desktop, tablet, and mobile devices.
(b) The search function shall not require scrolling, account creation, disclaimers, or intermediary screens.
(c) No redesign may reduce the visibility or primacy of the search interface.
(d) The search function shall appear before any press releases, notices, or informational content.
(e) No political messaging, executive directive, advisory, alert, or announcement may displace or obscure the search interface.
(f) No pop-ups, modals, cookie prompts, or overlays may obstruct search access.
(g) Search results shall not be ordered based on ideology, party, incumbency, fundraising, or popularity.
(h) Mobile interfaces shall preserve identical access standards.
(i) All interfaces shall meet federal accessibility standards.
(j) No dark patterns or manipulative interface elements may be used.
(k) All UI changes shall be recorded in a public version history log.

END OF TITLE VII

TITLE VIII: AGENCY MISCONDUCT AND INTERNAL ACCOUNTABILITY¶

Section 801. Scope of This Title¶

(a) This Title governs misconduct, abuse of authority, ethical violations, and structural breaches committed by officers, employees, contractors, or appointees of the Agency.
(b) This Title does not apply to candidates, campaigns, or external political entities except in cases of unauthorized access or tampering.
(c) Enforcement mechanisms under this Title are designed to protect transparency, prevent mission creep, and maintain public trust.

Section 802. Misuse of Authority¶

(a) No officer or employee of the Agency may knowingly undertake, authorize, or execute actions beyond the explicit statutory limits of this Act.
(b) Prohibited acts include: 1. verification of domains outside the enumerated categories in Title IV;
2. collecting or evaluating ideological, expressive, or associational information;
3. conducting or directing investigative or enforcement actions;
4. selectively accelerating or delaying verification based on political considerations;
5. altering or withholding verified information to influence an election.

(c) Penalties for violation include immediate removal, civil liability, and where applicable, criminal prosecution.

Section 803. Data Manipulation and Records Tampering¶

(a) It is unlawful for any officer, employee, or contractor to knowingly alter, delete, fabricate, or distort verified records or underlying documentary sources.
(b) Suppression or intentional delay of publication constitutes misconduct regardless of duration.
(c) Unauthorized redactions or concealment of public information are prohibited.
(d) Any willful violation under this Section constitutes a felony.
(e) Each confirmed violation shall be publicly reported by the Inspector General.

Section 804. Political Interference and Partisan Activity¶

(a) Agency employees engaged in verification may not: 1. coordinate with campaigns, PACs, political parties, or political advocacy groups;
2. contribute funds to federal candidates;
3. use their position to influence political outcomes;
4. leak internal documents to benefit or harm any candidate.

(b) Employees retain their personal First Amendment rights but may not invoke Agency affiliation in political activity.

Section 805. Unauthorized Disclosure of Private Information¶

(a) No officer or employee may disclose private information not legally authorized for publication, including Social Security numbers, private addresses, medical records, or protected personal identifiers.
(b) Unauthorized disclosure constitutes misconduct regardless of motive.
(c) Willful disclosure is a felony.
(d) All breaches must be reported publicly within 30 days, with identifying details redacted as required.

Section 806. System Access and Security Abuse¶

(a) Unauthorized access to internal systems, documents, or databases is prohibited.
(b) Attempts to access data outside professional scope constitute misconduct whether successful or not.
(c) External attempts to tamper with Agency systems shall be referred to appropriate federal authorities.
(d) Contractors are bound by identical standards and penalties as federal employees.

Section 807. Inspector General Authority¶

(a) The Office of Inspector General (IG) shall operate independently within the Agency.
(b) The IG shall have authority to: 1. audit internal processes;
2. review verification procedures;
3. investigate allegations of misconduct;
4. subpoena records and compel testimony;
5. issue public reports and findings.

(c) The IG may not expand the Agency's scope through interpretation or guidance.
(d) Confirmed violations shall be referred to the Department of Justice.

Section 808. Public Complaints and Civil Remedies¶

(a) Any United States citizen may submit a complaint alleging misconduct or procedural violation under this Act.
(b) Complaints shall be reviewed by the IG within 30 days.
(c) Citizens may seek injunctive or declaratory relief in federal court.
(d) Courts may not order expansion of Agency powers as a remedy.

Section 809. Whistleblower Protections¶

(a) Employees who disclose misconduct, abuse of authority, data tampering, or political interference are protected under federal whistleblower law.
(b) Retaliation against whistleblowers is strictly prohibited.
(c) The Agency shall maintain secure, encrypted channels for anonymous reporting to the IG.
(d) The IG may recommend financial awards for disclosures preventing harm to the electoral process.

Section 810. Mandatory Public Notice for Internal Failures¶

(a) If the Agency fails to complete verification for any office or election cycle, it must issue a public notice within 10 days.
(b) The notice shall describe: 1. the nature of the failure;
2. whether it is systemic or circumstantial;
3. affected offices;
4. estimated timeline for restoration.

(c) Failure to issue notice constitutes misconduct.

Section 811. Prohibition on Using Misconduct as Basis to Expand Authority¶

(a) Procedural failures, internal misconduct, or data breaches may not be construed to justify expansion of Agency authority.
(b) No emergency or perceived shortcoming shall permit bypassing statutory limits.

Section 812. Termination of Offending Directives¶

(a) If misconduct results from directives issued by political appointees or executive officials, such directives are null and void once confirmed by the IG.
(b) Subordinates shall not be held liable for refusing to follow illegal directives.

END OF TITLE VIII

TITLE IX: FEDERALISM, STATE COOPERATION, AND SHARED RECORDS¶

Section 901. Preservation of State Authority Over Ballot Access¶

(a) Nothing in this Act shall alter or diminish the authority of states to administer ballot qualification, primaries, election procedures, or candidate filing requirements for federal offices.
(b) State authority over ballot design, timing, certification, and election logistics remains fully intact.
(c) This Act shall not be interpreted to permit the Agency to approve, deny, or influence state decisions regarding candidate placement on ballots.

Section 902. Federal Verification Not a Condition of Ballot Access¶

(a) A state may not deny, restrict, or delay ballot access for any candidate solely due to the status, timing, or completion of federal verification under this Act.
(b) States may choose to reference federal verification results but shall not condition ballot qualification upon such results.
(c) The Agency shall not issue directives influencing state ballot decisions.

Section 903. Prohibition on State Addition of Qualifications for Federal Office¶

(a) No state may add or enforce eligibility requirements for federal office beyond those explicitly stated in the Constitution.
(b) Ballot access shall not be conditioned on ideological criteria, policy positions, loyalty statements, or other extraconstitutional requirements.
(c) This Section codifies and reinforces the constitutional prohibition on state-created qualifications for federal candidates.

Section 904. Optional State Record Certification¶

(a) States may, at their discretion, transmit certified or notarized records already in their possession to the Agency.
(b) Eligible records include:
1. birth documents;
2. name-change records;
3. prior officeholding records;
4. criminal or civil court documents;
5. voter registration and residency data;
6. professional or corporate filings held in public registries.

(c) The Agency shall not require states to modify or create new processes to comply with this Act.
(d) States may not charge candidates or the Agency fees for records legally categorized as public.

Section 905. Federal Access to State Records Subject to Law¶

(a) The Agency may access state records only to the extent permitted by state law, interstate compacts, or voluntary agreements.
(b) States shall not be required to modify privacy, sealing, expungement, or confidentiality rules to comply with this Act.
(c) The Agency may not compel state participation or record release.

Section 906. Prohibition on States Obstructing Federal Verification¶

(a) States may not obstruct, delay, or selectively withhold public records for political purposes.
(b) Obstruction includes:
1. denying access to legally public documents;
2. imposing discriminatory fees or administrative hurdles;
3. refusing cooperation based on a candidate's political party or ideology.

(c) Confirmed obstruction shall be subject to judicial relief under Title X.

Section 907. Uniform Document Standards¶

(a) The Agency may publish technical guidelines describing preferred document formats, metadata requirements, and authenticity standards.
(b) Such guidelines must be technology-neutral and may not require states to adopt specific systems, databases, or platforms.
(c) States may comply using existing tools and infrastructure; no mandate or upgrade requirement shall be imposed.

Section 908. Federal-State Non-Duplication Rule¶

(a) The Agency shall not request documents from candidates that states have already verified and transmitted under this Title.
(b) The Agency shall rely on state certifications unless evidence indicates clerical error or inconsistencies requiring clarification.

Section 909. Presumption of Good-Faith State Certification¶

(a) Records transmitted by states shall be presumed accurate unless contradicted by authoritative federal or state documents.
(b) All disputes shall be referred to the Federal Candidate Eligibility Panel under Title III.
(c) The Agency shall not override state certifications unilaterally.

Section 910. Independence of Federal Verification¶

(a) Federal verification shall proceed regardless of state cooperation.
(b) States may supplement federal records voluntarily but may not override or revise federal verification outcomes.
(c) When contradictory records exist, the Agency shall publish all versions and flag the discrepancy for judicial review.

Section 911. Federalism Backstop¶

(a) No provision of this Act shall preempt state election administration beyond what is necessary to carry out the federal transparency function.
(b) States shall not be conscripted into enforcement, regulation, or investigatory roles under this Act.
(c) Nothing in this Act shall be construed to authorize federal oversight of state election administration beyond transparency-related cooperation.

END OF TITLE IX

TITLE X: GENERAL PROVISIONS AND EFFECTIVE DATES¶

Section 1001. Codification¶

(a) This Act shall be codified within Title 52, United States Code, in a new Subtitle designated by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel.
(b) Codification placement shall not alter the meaning, structure, or interpretation of any provision.
(c) Renumbering or editorial revisions by the Law Revision Counsel shall not confer new authority.

Section 1002. Rulemaking Authority¶

(a) The Agency may issue rules solely for procedural implementation of explicit statutory duties.
(b) Rulemaking may not:
1. expand verification domains;
2. add enforcement or investigative powers;
3. reinterpret eligibility standards;
4. impose conditions on speech or political activity.

(c) All proposed rules shall undergo public notice and comment for no fewer than 60 days.
(d) Rules shall be reviewed every five years to ensure compliance with statutory limits.

Section 1003. Judicial Review¶

(a) The United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit shall have exclusive jurisdiction over challenges arising under this Act.
(b) Courts shall apply de novo review to all Agency interpretations, findings, and rulemaking.
(c) Standing shall extend to:
1. candidates;
2. United States citizens;
3. registered federal political committees.

(d) Courts may issue declaratory or injunctive relief but may not expand Agency authority as a remedy.

Section 1004. Relation to Other Law¶

(a) Nothing in this Act shall be interpreted as modifying, displacing, or repealing any other federal law except where explicitly stated.
(b) In cases of conflict between this Act and subsequent statutes, this Act shall control unless the later statute explicitly references and amends it.
(c) Nothing in this Act shall supersede constitutional provisions or judicial interpretations thereof.

Section 1005. Future Amendments and Statutory Modification¶

(a) Any future statute expanding the Agency's authority must include the explicit statement:
"Congress hereby expands the authority of the Federal Candidate Verification Agency."

(b) No authority may be expanded by implication, inference, budgetary language, or regulatory interpretation.
(c) Reductions in authority may be enacted by a simple majority of both houses of Congress.
(d) Expansions shall require a three-fifths vote of both houses.

Section 1006. Effective Dates¶

(a) This Act shall take effect upon enactment.
(b) Formation of the Agency and appointment of interim leadership shall commence immediately.
(c) Mandatory verification timelines shall follow the phased implementation schedule provided in Title V.
(d) Nothing in this Act shall apply retroactively to prior elections or candidates not seeking new office.

Section 1007. Transitional Authority¶

(a) The President may appoint an interim Director for a term not exceeding 18 months.
(b) The interim Director shall not:
1. issue permanent rules;
2. enter long-term contracts;
3. interpret constitutional or eligibility qualifications.

Section 1008. Severability¶

(a) If any provision or application of this Act is held unconstitutional, the remaining provisions shall remain in force.
(b) No severability ruling shall be construed to expand any Agency authority beyond explicit statutory limits.

Section 1009. Non-Precedential Purpose Clause¶

(a) The findings, purposes, and preamble of this Act shall not be used to infer or expand Agency authority.
(b) Legislative intent may not replace explicit statutory language.

Section 1010. Finality of Structural Constraints¶

(a) Structural limitations, scope locks, interpretive rules, and prohibitions contained in this Act are binding components and may not be waived by regulation or executive action.
(b) These constraints form essential conditions of Agency existence and operation.

END OF TITLE X

END OF ACT

Revision History¶

Revision 1.2 (Current) - Reformatted document structure per APAI Document Production Manual Rev 1.1. - Removed Document Status line from header. - Moved Revision History from header to document footer. - Reformatted attribution to standard single-line italicized format.

Revision 1.1 - Updated Title IV to Rev 1.1. - Added Section 406 establishing candidate authorization mechanism for third-party verification. - Established consent-based waiver system for education, military, employment, and licensure records. - Defined standardized verification status notations for candidate and institutional non-response. - Added documentation requirements and audit trail provisions for authorization requests. - Added protections for inadvertently obtained non-relevant data.

Revision 1.0 - Initial draft of Introduction and Titles I through X in APA house style. - Establishes Agency purpose, findings, structure, and operational framework.

📄 Download this document (opens on GitHub -- click the ⬇ download button)

Prepared by Albert Ramos for The American Policy Architecture Institute