Bill Summary
The "Original Students Voicing Opinions in Today's Elections (VOTE) Act" is a proposed legislation aimed at increasing voter registration awareness among high school seniors. Under this act, the Election Assistance Commission will implement a pilot program that allocates funds to local educational agencies (LEAs) for initiatives designed to provide information on how to register to vote in public elections.
Eligible LEAs must apply for these funds by detailing their proposed initiatives and associated costs. Importantly, these agencies are required to collaborate with state and local election officials to ensure effective program development. The legislation also mandates that LEAs report back on the initiatives' outcomes and effectiveness within 90 days of receiving the funds. Subsequently, the Commission must compile these reports and provide a summary to Congress within 60 days.
The bill emphasizes the importance of engaging young voters by providing them with the necessary information before they graduate, thereby fostering civic participation among new voters. Funding for this initiative will be determined as necessary.
Possible Impacts
The "Original Students Voicing Opinions in Today's Elections (VOTE) Act" could have a variety of effects on individuals and communities. Here are three examples:
1. **Increased Voter Registration Among Young People**: By providing voter registration information to 12th-grade students, the Act may lead to a higher percentage of eligible young voters registering to vote. This can empower them to participate in the democratic process and make their voices heard on issues important to their generation, such as education, climate change, and social justice.
2. **Enhanced Civic Education**: The pilot program incentivizes local educational agencies to create initiatives that educate students about the voting process. This can foster a better understanding of civic responsibility and the importance of voting, potentially leading to increased political engagement not just during elections, but also in community affairs and local governance.
3. **Collaboration Between Schools and Election Officials**: The requirement for local educational agencies to consult with state and local election officials can lead to stronger partnerships between educational institutions and election authorities. This collaboration may result in more accurate and accessible voter information, which can help to demystify the voting process for students and their families, ultimately leading to a more informed electorate.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 126 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 126
To direct the Election Assistance Commission to carry out a pilot
program under which the Commission shall provide funds to local
educational agencies for initiatives to provide voter registration
information to secondary school students in the 12th grade.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 3, 2025
Mr. Green of Texas introduced the following bill; which was referred to
the Committee on House Administration
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To direct the Election Assistance Commission to carry out a pilot
program under which the Commission shall provide funds to local
educational agencies for initiatives to provide voter registration
information to secondary school students in the 12th grade.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Original Students Voicing Opinions
in Today's Elections (VOTE) Act''.
SEC. 2. PILOT PROGRAM FOR PROVIDING VOTER REGISTRATION INFORMATION TO
SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS PRIOR TO GRADUATION.
(a) Pilot Program.--The Election Assistance Commission (hereafter
in this Act referred to as the ``Commission'') shall carry out a pilot
program under which the Commission shall provide funds during fiscal
year 2025 to eligible local educational agencies for initiatives to
provide information on registering to vote in elections for public
office to secondary school students in the 12th grade.
(b) Eligibility.--A local educational agency is eligible to receive
funds under the pilot program under this Act if the agency submits to
the Commission, at such time and in such form as the Commission may
require, an application containing--
(1) a description of the initiatives the agency intends to
carry out with the funds;
(2) an estimate of the costs associated with such
initiatives; and
(3) such other information and assurances as the Commission
may require.
(c) Consultation With Election Officials.--A local educational
agency receiving funds under the pilot program shall consult with the
State and local election officials who are responsible for
administering elections for public office in the area served by the
agency in developing the initiatives the agency will carry out with the
funds.
(d) Definitions.--In this Act, the terms ``local educational
agency'' and ``secondary school'' have the meanings given such terms in
section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 7801).
SEC. 3. REPORTS.
(a) Reports by Recipients of Funds.--Not later than the expiration
of the 90-day period which begins on the date of the receipt of the
funds, each local educational agency receiving funds under the pilot
program under this Act shall submit a report to the Commission
describing the initiatives carried out with the funds and analyzing
their effectiveness.
(b) Report by Commission.--Not later than the expiration of the 60-
day period which begins on the date the Commission receives the final
report submitted by a local educational agency under subsection (a),
the Commission shall submit a report to Congress on the pilot program
under this Act.
SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be
necessary to carry out this Act.
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