H.R. 10202: High School Voter Empowerment Act of 2026

This bill would require all public high schools in each state to be treated as voter registration agencies under the National Voter Registration Act. In practical terms, that means states would have to include public high schools in their voter registration systems, rather than leaving that choice optional.

It would also require public high schools, at least once each academic year, to hold a voter registration drive. The bill says the schools should aim to register students who:

• are enrolled in an American Government or Economics class,
• are at least 17 years old by April 10 of that year, and
• are eligible to register to vote in federal elections in that state.

The bill also allows public high schools running these programs to ask state election officials for voting machines and related equipment and supplies for use in student council or similar school elections, if the school and the election official agree to the terms.

To help cover costs, the bill would direct the Secretary of Education to create a grant or reimbursement program for public high schools. Schools could receive payments for the reasonable costs of running these voter registration drives, if they apply and provide information such as:

• the costs they incurred,
• what activities they carried out, including how many students registered, and
• any other information the Secretary of Education requires.

The bill says Congress would authorize whatever funding is needed for these payments starting in fiscal year 2026 and each year after that.

The changes would take effect 90 days after the bill is enacted.

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