U.S. Election Assistance Commission

EAC’s Mock Election Program seeks to engage youth in the electoral process

Download the Grant Notice

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) is accepting applications for a competitive grant program to promote student interest and involvement in voting. The grants, authorized by the Help America Vote Act, provide $300,000 in funds to support mock elections and related civics instruction for high school students.

“Now more than ever young people need to be engaged in the democratic process and value its importance,” said EAC Chair Donetta Davidson. "These grants represent a modest but worthwhile investment in ensuring the next generation of adult citizens become lifelong voters.”

Eight to 12 grants of up to $25,000 each will be awarded to expand existing mock election programs for the 2010 election. EAC is especially interested in funding organizations that partner with local election officials to use the latest voting equipment. Proposals that build the capacity of community groups to teach students about the importance of voting are also encouraged.

Eligibility Requirements
The competition is open to: 1) state and local election offices, 2) regional and national nonprofit organizations as defined under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code in partnership with local election offices, and 3) tribal organizations.

Deadlines and Instructions
Applications are due at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, March 9, 2010. EAC will host a technical assistance call on February 16, 2010, to answer questions about the funding opportunity and interested applicants are strongly encouraged to participate. Additional information about the call and application instructions are included in the official mock election grant notice.

Grant Restrictions
Project funds may not be used for tasks and activities that are carried out with partisan bias or that promote any particular political point of view about any election issue or candidate.

Background
The Mock Election Program grants are authorized under Section 295 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA). The Consolidated Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2010 (PL 111-117) provides funds for EAC to award competitive grants for operating a program of simulated elections for students in secondary education programs. The EAC awarded a total of $897,220 under this program in2004, 2005, 2008 and 2009.

EAC is an independent commission created by the Help America Vote Act. EAC serves as a national clearinghouse and resource of information regarding election administration. It is charged with administering payments to states and developing guidance to meet HAVA requirements, adopting voluntary voting system guidelines, and accrediting voting system test laboratories and certifying voting equipment.  It is also charged with developing and maintaining a national mail voter registration form. The three EAC commissioners are Donetta Davidson, chair; Gineen Bresso Beach; and Gracia Hillman. There is one vacancy on the commission.