H.R. 126: Original Students Voicing Opinions in Today’s Elections (VOTE) Act

The bill named the Original Students Voicing Opinions in Today’s Elections (VOTE) Act aims to implement a pilot program through the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to provide financial assistance to local educational agencies. The goal of this program is to enhance voter registration awareness among 12th-grade students prior to their graduation. Below are the main components of the bill:

Pilot Program

• The EAC will provide funds to eligible local educational agencies during fiscal year 2025.
• The funding is intended for initiatives that focus on educating 12th-grade students about how to register to vote in public elections.

Eligibility for Funding

To be eligible for funds, local educational agencies must:

• Submit an application to the EAC that includes:
• A detailed description of the initiatives they plan to execute with the funds.
• An estimate of the costs associated with these initiatives.
• Any additional information or assurances that the EAC may require.

Consultation with Election Officials

Local educational agencies receiving funds are required to consult with state and local election officials. This step is intended to ensure that the initiatives they develop align with the administration of public elections in their areas.

Reporting Requirements

• Local educational agencies that receive funds must submit a report to the EAC within 90 days of receiving the funds. This report needs to detail the initiatives carried out and evaluate their effectiveness.
• After receiving the final report from local educational agencies, the EAC must compile and submit a report to Congress within 60 days, summarizing the findings and insights from the pilot program.

Authorization of Appropriations

The bill authorizes the appropriation of necessary funds to implement the program, though it does not specify an amount, indicating that the required sums will be determined based on need.

Definitions

Key terms such as local educational agency and secondary school are defined according to established law in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.

Relevant Companies

None found.