Bill Summary: High School Voter Empowerment Act of 2024

The High School Voter Empowerment Act of 2024 is a bill introduced in the Senate of the United States to amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993. The purpose of this bill is to require states to designate public high schools as voter registration agencies and to direct these schools to conduct voter registration drives for students attending them. The bill also aims to provide grants to reimburse high schools for the costs associated with organizing these voter registration drives.

Key Provisions

Section 1. Short Title

This section states that the official name of this act is the "High School Voter Empowerment Act of 2024".

Section 2. Designation of Public High Schools as Voter Registration Agencies

This section amends the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to require states to designate all public high schools as voter registration agencies. Previously, only public schools were designated, but this amendment expands it to include high schools specifically.

Section 3. Requiring Schools to Conduct Voter Registration Drives for Students

This section adds a new subsection to the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, specifying that public high schools designated as voter registration agencies must conduct voter registration drives. These drives must be conducted at least once during each academic year. The goal of these drives is to register all eligible students who are enrolled in certain classes and meet specific age requirements. Additionally, this section allows high schools to request voting machines and related equipment for student council or similar elections, to promote student engagement in the voting process.

Section 4. Availability of Grants to Cover Costs of Voter Registration Drives

This section establishes a program under which the Secretary of Education provides grants to eligible public high schools to reimburse them for the reasonable costs incurred during voter registration drives. To be eligible for these grants, high schools need to submit an application to the Secretary, including details about the costs and activities of the voter registration drive. The section also authorizes appropriations for these grants in future fiscal years.

Section 5. Effective Date

This section states that the bill and its amendments will take effect 90 days after the date of its enactment.

S 4211 High School Voter Empowerment Act of 2024

US Congress 118th Congress

Bill Texts

Introduced 05/29/2024

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