H.R. 126 – Students Voicing Opinions in Today’s Elections (VOTE) Act

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Updated February 7, 2026 at 9:08 PM UTC

The Students Voicing Opinions in Today’s Elections (VOTE) Act directs the Election Assistance Commission to run a pilot program that provides federal funds to local school districts so they can give 12th‑grade students information on how to register to vote. The program is aimed at high‑school seniors and the local educational agencies that serve them, with the goal of increasing voter registration awareness before graduation.

Key Provisions

The Election Assistance Commission must fund eligible local educational agencies during fiscal year 2021 to carry out voter‑registration information initiatives for 12th‑grade students.
Eligibility requires agencies to submit an application describing their planned activities, cost estimates, and any other information the Commission requests.
Receiving agencies must work with state and local election officials when developing their voter‑registration programs.
Agencies must submit a report on their activities and effectiveness within 90 days of receiving funds.
The Commission must compile the agencies’ reports and deliver a summary report to Congress within 60 days of receiving the final agency report.
The Act authorizes the necessary appropriations to fund the pilot.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action

HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.

Committee on House Administration

January 4, 2021

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

January 4, 2021

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.

Committee on House Administration

January 4, 2021

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued January 4, 2021

I

117th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 126

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 4, 2021

Mr. Green of Texas introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on House Administration

A BILL

To direct the Election Assistance Commission to carry out a pilot program under which the Commission shall provide funds to local educational agencies for initiatives to provide voter registration information to secondary school students in the 12th grade.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Students Voicing Opinions in Today’s Elections (VOTE) Act.

2.

Pilot program for providing voter registration information to secondary school students prior to graduation

(a)

Pilot program

The Election Assistance Commission (hereafter in this Act referred to as the Commission) shall carry out a pilot program under which the Commission shall provide funds during fiscal year 2021 to eligible local educational agencies for initiatives to provide information on registering to vote in elections for public office to secondary school students in the 12th grade.

(b)

Eligibility

A local educational agency is eligible to receive funds under the pilot program under this Act if the agency submits to the Commission, at such time and in such form as the Commission may require, an application containing—

(1)

a description of the initiatives the agency intends to carry out with the funds;

(2)

an estimate of the costs associated with such initiatives; and

(3)

such other information and assurances as the Commission may require.

(c)

Consultation with election officials

A local educational agency receiving funds under the pilot program shall consult with the State and local election officials who are responsible for administering elections for public office in the area served by the agency in developing the initiatives the agency will carry out with the funds.

(d)

Definitions

In this Act, the terms local educational agency and secondary school have the meanings given such terms in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).

3.

Reports

(a)

Reports by recipients of funds

Not later than the expiration of the 90-day period which begins on the date of the receipt of the funds, each local educational agency receiving funds under the pilot program under this Act shall submit a report to the Commission describing the initiatives carried out with the funds and analyzing their effectiveness.

(b)

Report by Commission

Not later than the expiration of the 60-day period which begins on the date the Commission receives the final report submitted by a local educational agency under subsection (a), the Commission shall submit a report to Congress on the pilot program under this Act.

4.

Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act.