Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB126

Introduced
1/3/25  

Caption

Original Students Voicing Opinions in Today's Elections (VOTE) ActThis bill directs the Election Assistance Commission to carry out a pilot program providing funds, during FY2025, to local educational agencies (LEAs) for initiatives that provide 12th graders with voter registration information.LEAs must consult with their state and local election officials in developing the initiatives.

Impact

If enacted, HB126 would directly influence state laws by mandating the involvement of local educational agencies in voter registration education efforts. The Election Assistance Commission would play a critical role in administering the funds and ensuring that local agencies meet specific criteria when applying for financial support. This funding could lead to a significant increase in student awareness of the voting process and potentially impact voting rates among young adults as they transition into adulthood.

Summary

House Bill 126, known as the Original Students Voicing Opinions in Today's Elections (VOTE) Act, aims to establish a pilot program that provides funds to local educational agencies to enhance voter registration awareness among high school seniors. The main objective of the bill is to empower students in the 12th grade by ensuring they have access to crucial information regarding how to register to vote. This initiative seeks to promote civic engagement and education among young voters, making them more informed participants in the electoral process.

Contention

While the bill has broad support for its focus on voter education, discussions around its implementation may raise concerns regarding the effectiveness of the initiatives funded by the program. Local educational agencies might face challenges in developing programs that resonate with students and effectively convey the importance of registration and participation in elections. Additionally, there may be debates on the allocation of funds and whether the pilot program will yield meaningful long-term improvements in voter turnout among young demographics.

Congress_id

119-HR-126

Policy_area

Government Operations and Politics

Introduced_date

2025-01-03

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

US HB126

Students Voicing Opinions in Today's Elections (VOTE) Act This bill directs the Election Assistance Commission to carry out a pilot program providing funds, during FY2023, to local educational agencies (LEAs) for initiatives that provide 12th graders with voter registration information. LEAs must consult with their state and local election officials in developing the initiatives.

US HB156

Restoring Faith in Elections Act This bill establishes certain standards for voting, including voting by mail, in federal elections. It also establishes certain requirements for voter registration and maintenance of official lists of eligible voters. First, the bill establishes certain requirements for voting by mail in federal elections, including by requiring mail-in ballots to be received by the time the polls close on election day. Additionally, the bill makes it unlawful to possess or return a mail-in ballot completed by another person (commonly referred to as ballot harvesting), with exceptions. A violator is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to one year, or both. Further, the bill establishes certain requirements for reporting results of federal elections, including by requiring states to count all eligible ballots within 24 hours after the election. Next, the bill provides for the automatic registration of eligible voters. The Election Assistance Commission must make grants to states to implement these automatic voter registration programs. It also requires states and jurisdictions to use standards that apply equally to all methods of voting used in federal elections, including standards related to signature verification. Finally, the bill establishes the National Deconfliction Voting Database and Clearinghouse to serve as a database and clearinghouse for voter registration records and lists of eligible voters. Additionally, each state must certify that it has removed ineligible voters from the official list of eligible voters prior to the federal election.

US SB5615

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US SB5584

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US HB10524

To amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to prohibit the use of Federal funds for the administration of elections for Federal, State, or local office in States which do not have in effect laws to permit units of local government to hold elections for local office in odd-numbered years, and for other purposes.

US HB7321

Electronic Filing of Electioneering Communication Reports Act

US HB157

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US HB4494

Ensuring Faith in Our Elections Act Promoting Free and Fair Elections Act Solving an Overlooked Loophole in Votes for Executives (SOLVE) Act

US HB466

Securing America's Elections Act of 2023 This bill requires voting systems for federal elections to produce paper ballots that the voter may inspect and verify before the vote is cast and counted. The bill also (1) requires the paper ballot to be suitable for manual audits, (2) prescribes approved methods for such audits, and (3) directs the Department of Homeland Security and the Election Assistance Commission to report on the desirability of using open-source software in voting systems.

US SB2971

Unhoused VOTE Act Unhoused Voter Opportunity Through Elections Act

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.