The EAC is awarding a total of $750,000 in grants for programs that encourage college students to serve as poll workers. The program will award up to 50 grants of no less than $10,000 each.

How and When to Apply
Grant applications must be mailed or hand delivered to the EAC. Applications are due before 4:00 p.m. EDT on Monday, April 21, 2008. For additional application information and instructions, click here.

Contact Information
Questions regarding the grants can be directed to Juliana Milhofer or Edgardo Cortés by calling (866) 747-1471 toll-free or by sending an e-mail to HAVACollegeProgram@eac.gov. 

Eligibility Requirements 
Private and public postsecondary institutions, community colleges, nonpartisan student organizations, and nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply. Applicants are also required to furnish a letter from their local election administrator in support of their proposed program.

For ideas and more information about recruitment activities, see the EAC’s Guidebook for Recruiting College Poll Workers. 

Grant Restrictions 
Program funds cannot be used to support any partisan, voter registration or get-out-the-vote (GOTV), or construction activities. 

Frequently Asked Questions 
For answers to frequently asked questions about the college poll worker grant program, click here.

Background
The College Program grants are authorized under the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) to encourage student participation as poll workers or assistants, to foster student interest in the elections process, and to encourage state and local governments to use students as poll workers. The grants also aim to relieve poll worker shortages.

A 2005 EAC report found that during the last presidential election, 5.8 percent of polling places and 4 percent of precincts did not have the minimum number of required poll workers. This grant program will also leverage the technology skills of a tech-savvy generation as well as recruit the next generation of poll workers.

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