Climate Resilient Elections Act

Summary#

This bill, the Climate Resilient Elections Act, would require States that receive Help America Vote Act grants to prepare and submit a continuity of operations plan for running elections if a major disaster occurs. States must submit a plan by September 30, 2028, update it by September 30, 2033 and at least every 5 years until 2043, and retain submitted plans for 5 years. The Election Assistance Commission (EAC) would publish those plans to the public, except for personally identifiable or sensitive security information. The Comptroller General must report by September 30, 2026 on how natural disasters affect voter registration and how the federal government could better assist election administration after a major disaster. The EAC would also award grants to States to strengthen election systems against climate-driven disasters. The bill defines a “covered major disaster” as a Presidential major disaster declaration during a Federal election voting period for many natural disasters, fires, floods, explosions, or acts of terrorism. The bill states that nothing in it authorizes the federal government to seize or hold ballots or voting machines.

What it means for you#

• If you are a voter: your State may publish a plan showing how voting would continue after a major disaster. The State may also run voter education and toll-free hotlines about voting after a disaster if it receives grant funds.
• If you are a State or local election official: you must submit and periodically update a disaster continuity plan to the EAC to keep receiving HAVA grants. You may apply for EAC grants to pay for planning, training, equipment changes, voter education, hotlines, and related preparedness activities.
• For the public: the Comptroller General will study disaster effects on voter registration and federal support and deliver a report in 2026.

Expenses#

The bill authorizes $20,000,000 per year for grants under the bill for each of fiscal years 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029, and 2030. No publicly available information on other costs, savings, or budgetary effects is provided in the bill text.

Proponents' View#

The bill cites findings that election infrastructure is designated as critical by the Department of Homeland Security and that severe natural disasters—such as hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes, and floods—have disrupted voting, displaced voters, damaged polling places and mail service, and reduced turnout in past elections. It also cites federal agency statements that climate-driven extreme weather is increasing and can stress infrastructure. Proponents view stronger continuity plans, training, public education, and targeted grants as ways to protect voting access and election administration during disasters.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.