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Standard Summary
Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs
The POLE Act (Protecting Our Local Elections Act) would amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA) to condition federal funding on states allowing local governments to hold local elections in odd-numbered years. Specifically, beginning in fiscal year 2027, no federal funds from HAVA or any other federal source may be used to administer elections held in a state that lacks a law permitting local units of government to conduct local elections in odd-numbered years. The bill also sets forth findings and a sense of Congress about the value of odd-year local elections and the importance of local governance. In short, states that do not authorize odd-year local elections could lose access to federal funding for election administration.
Key Points
- 1Prohibition on federal funds: Starting in FY 2027, no federal funds may be provided to administer elections (federal, state, or local) in states that do not have a law allowing local governments to hold local elections in odd-numbered years.
- 2Scope of funding: The prohibition applies to funds under HAVA and “any other Act,” meaning multiple federal funding streams that support election administration could be affected.
- 3Legislative intent: The bill includes findings and a sense of Congress praising odd-year local elections for focusing attention on local candidates and issues, and emphasizing local governance as essential to representation.
- 4Effective date: The funding prohibition takes effect for fiscal year 2027 and for each subsequent year.
- 5Structural change: Adds a new Sec. 907 to Title IX of HAVA, with a clerical amendment to the table of contents reflecting this new section.
Impact Areas
Primary group/area affected- State and local election administrators and state governments in states that do not permit local governments to hold odd-year local elections; they would be ineligible for federal election funds for any elections conducted in those states starting FY 2027.Secondary group/area affected- Voters in affected states could experience changes in election administration funding and operations, potentially impacting resources and infrastructure for running federal, state, and local elections.Additional impacts- States may have a financial and political incentive to pass or amend laws allowing odd-year local elections to preserve access to federal election funding.- Potential legal and logistical considerations for how funds are allocated and enforced across different types of elections (federal, state, local) within a state.- Administrative complexity for federal agencies to implement the new prohibition and verify whether a state's law permits odd-year local elections.
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