Sustaining Our Democracy Act
The Sustaining Our Democracy Act would create a federally funded program called the Democracy Advancement and Innovation Program to support democracy promotion and modernization of federal election administration. It establishes a new independent Office of Democracy Advancement and Innovation to run the program, administer a dedicated State Election Assistance and Innovation Trust Fund, and disburse funds to states and local election offices to improve election efficiency, accessibility, security, and outreach. States must submit modernizing plans (and may reserve funds for future use), while a set of prohibitions aims to prevent voter suppression or other activities that could undermine participation. The legislation also creates oversight mechanisms, state complaint procedures, and a framework for accountability and transparency, with enforcement options including a role for the Attorney General and potential judicial review. Key design features include a funding framework that channels money to states based on congressional districts, a robust planning and review process with the Election Assistance Commission, and a new Office positioned to oversee the program, audits, and trust fund balances. The act envisions a long-term public investment (fiscal years 2026–2035) to improve election administration, expand access, and protect election workers and officials, with a transition period and interim administrative arrangements during initial implementation.
Key Points
- 1Establishment of the Democracy Advancement and Innovation Program to fund democracy promotion activities in each state (election administration upgrades, outreach, cybersecurity, worker recruitment/training, and expanding voting access).
- 2Creation of an independent Office of Democracy Advancement and Innovation to administer the program, oversee the trust fund, and report to Congress; includes a 6-year Director term, Senate confirmation, and a governance framework with the Election Assistance Commission.
- 3State Election Assistance and Innovation Trust Fund funded at $2.5 billion per year (2026–2035) to be used exclusively for program activities and Office operations; funds distributed to states and, where applicable, to local election officials.
- 4State plan submission and approval process: states must submit plans detailing activities, allocations, and allocations to subdivisions; plans are reviewed by the Director with input from the Election Assistance Commission, and revised plans can be approved if necessary; public reporting and legislative consultation requirements included.
- 5Prohibitions and enforcement: states cannot use funds for activities that suppress or restrict eligible voters, intimidate voters or poll workers, remove election officials improperly, defend against voter-suppression lawsuits, or purchase certain voting equipment; states must establish uniform complaint procedures; the Director can review state decisions, with potential court review, and the Attorney General can pursue enforcement.