Summary#
This bill directs the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to run a one-year pilot program in fiscal year 2025. The EAC would give funds to local school districts (local educational agencies, or LEAs) so 12th‑grade students get information about how to register to vote. The stated goal is to help students learn about voter registration before they graduate.
- Main change: Creates a pilot grant program (FY2025) for LEAs to provide voter registration information to 12th graders.
- Who administers it: The Election Assistance Commission must run the pilot and distribute funds.
- Consultation required: LEAs that get funds must work with state and local election officials when designing their activities.
- Reporting: LEAs must report to the EAC within 90 days after they receive funds about what they did and how well it worked. The EAC must send a report to Congress within 60 days after it gets each final LEA report.
- Funding: The bill authorizes “such sums as may be necessary” but does not set a dollar amount.
- What is unclear: The bill does not say how many LEAs will get grants, how grants will be sized, or exactly what kinds of materials or activities are allowed.
What it means for you#
- 12th‑grade students: May receive information and instruction about how to register to vote before graduation if their school district participates. The bill focuses on providing information, not on automatic registration.
- Local school districts (LEAs): Can apply for grant funds to run voter‑registration information activities. If they accept funds, they must consult local and state election officials and must file a report within 90 days of receiving the money.
- State and local election officials: Will be asked to consult with participating LEAs on program content or delivery in their areas.
- Election Assistance Commission (EAC): Must create the pilot, set application requirements, award funds, collect LEA reports, and produce a report to Congress.
- Taxpayers and general public: The pilot could modestly increase students’ exposure to voter registration information in districts that participate. The bill is a time‑limited pilot (FY2025).
Expenses#
The bill authorizes funding but does not give a dollar amount. No official cost estimate is attached to the bill text provided.
- The bill authorizes “such sums as may be necessary” for fiscal year 2025.
- Likely government costs (not estimated in the bill): grants to LEAs, administrative costs for the EAC to run the pilot, and staff time for LEAs to design programs, consult with election officials, and prepare reports.
- No publicly available information on total cost, number of grants, or grant size.
Proponents' View#
- The bill appears intended to help more young people learn how to register to vote before they leave high school.
- Supporters may argue this could increase civic knowledge and make it easier for newly eligible voters to register.
- The requirement to consult election officials could help ensure information is accurate and suited to local rules and deadlines.
- A short pilot lets the government test approaches and gather data before expanding a program.
Opponents' View#
- One concern is the lack of a funding estimate; it is unclear how much the program will cost and how funds will be allocated.
- The bill does not specify how many LEAs may participate or how grant amounts will be decided, which could lead to uneven access across districts.
- The required 90‑day reporting deadline after receipt of funds may be tight for some LEAs and could add administrative burden.
- The bill does not detail what types of materials or activities are allowed, leaving implementation choices and standards unclear.